Understanding

(in the style of St. Paul, I Corinthians 13)

Though 1 figure with the skills of men and computers and have not understanding, 1 am become as a mechanical toy, or a lifeless robot.

And though I have the gift of memory, and know the multiplication tables, and all the number facts, and though I know all algorithms, so that I can grind out all answers, and have not understanding, I am not free.

And though I supply right answers that please my teacher, and though I exchange my paper to be graded, and have not understanding, high marks are not enough.

Understanding lasts forever, and is always with me; understanding faileth not; understanding makes no false promises, does not make me overly confident,

Does not draw false conclusions, does not leave me defenseless before my problems, is not easily dissuaded from truth, filleth me with assurance,

Provides ways of solving unfamiliar problems, gives cause for rejoicing,

Is never caught unawares, but is ready for all things, gives hope to its owner and helps him to endure.

Understanding never fails; but where there is rote memory, it shall fail; where there are skills, they shall be no longer needed; where there are algorithms and number facts, they shall vanish away.

For now we know only in part, and we memorize only in part.

But when today*s child becomes a man, that which is memorized will serve him less than that which is understood.When I learned number facts, I learned them well; but when I became a college student, I put them away, because they helped me not; understanding under-girded me.

So now we see the future dimly, and tomorrow*s world will be new. Now we know only in part, but tomorrow we must be ready for what we do not now know.

And now abideth right answers, rote memory, and understanding, these three; but the greatest of these is understanding.

WILLIAM B. CRITTENDEN