Who said “It is no small mischief to a boy, that many of the best years of his life should be…”?

Verified

William Cobbett. A published source records them saying or writing it.

Source“To Mr. Benbow,” Political Register (29 November 1817)

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“It is no small mischief to a boy, that many of the best years of his life should be devoted to the learning of what can never be of any real use to any human being. His mind is necessarily rendered frivolous and superficial by the long habit of attaching importance to words instead of things; to sound instead of sense.”
— William Cobbett
Verified“To Mr. Benbow,” Political Register (29 November 1817) · evidenceEducation

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: “To Mr. Benbow,” Political Register (29 November 1817).

APA

Cobbett, W. (n.d.). It is no small mischief to a boy, that many of the best years of his life should be devoted to the learning of what can never be of any real use to any human being. His mind is necessarily rendered frivolous and superficial by the long habit of attaching importance to words instead of things; to sound instead of sense. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/14208-it-is-no-small-mischief-to-a-boy/

MLA

Cobbett, William. “It is no small mischief to a boy, that many of the best years of his life should be devoted to the learning of what can never be of any real use to any human being. His mind is necessarily rendered frivolous and superficial by the long habit of attaching importance to words instead of things; to sound instead of sense.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/14208-it-is-no-small-mischief-to-a-boy/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Cobbett, William. “It is no small mischief to a boy, that many of the best years of his life should be devoted to the learning of what can never be of any real use to any human being. His mind is necessarily rendered frivolous and superficial by the long habit of attaching importance to words instead of things; to sound instead of sense.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/14208-it-is-no-small-mischief-to-a-boy/.

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