| The Seven Inscriptions at Withrow |
Do you remember
the seven inscriptions at Withrow?
The original designers
of Withrow made a point of leaving seven
inspirational sayings on the Withrow campus.
For over six generations now these seven
sayings have stood the test of time. Besides
withstanding weather, they have been with
our community’s residents through
economic booms and busts, wars, personal
triumphs and tragedies, and many social
changes. They have been there constantly
to be thoughtfully considered by the many
thousands of individuals who come past
Withrow every year. They challenge today’s
students as well as yesterday’s
to become worthy of life success.
Let's first consider
the three sayings on the Withrow
Tower,
then proceed to the four phrases etched
into Withrow's
buildings.
TOWER
INSCRIPTIONS
See also on this
site
Why Preserve a Tower?
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First there is the inscription that reminds
us of the purpose of our school:
“All who will may enter and find within these walls equal and varied opportunity for a liberal education, based alike upon art and industry, with books and things, work and study combined, and where good health, the spirit of play, and joy in work well done shall abound.”
This is attributed to Randall J. Condon, the Superintendent of the Cincinnati Public Schools starting in 1914. Condon held this post during the construction of many of the first public schools in Cincinnati including Hughes, Walnut Hills, Woodward, and East High (renamed Withrow in 1919).
East High School was renamed Withrow High School in honor of John Withrow in 1919. Dr. Withrow was an educator, chief surgeon, and designer of Christ Hospital. He also had significant interests in architecture, was a Cincinnati Public School Board member with Condon, and heavily influenced the design of the initial four public schools. He was also influential in the building of Miami University where Withrow Hall is also named in his honor.
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Next, the school founders suggest the
secret to a happy life by inscribing:
“If you want knowledge, you must toil for it; and if good, you must toil for it; and if you want pleasure, you must toil for it. Toil is law. Pleasure comes from toil, and not from self-indulgence and indolence. When one gets to love his work, his life is a happy one.”
The source of this saying is John Ruskin,
a philosopher and architectural critic
who died in 1910 but who influenced the
Cincinnati Public School Board members
and John Withrow particularly. Ruskin’s
quotation is drawn from a line in a poem
titled The Ode of Perfect Years
by Sir Lewis Morris (1833-1907) often
quoted by Ruskin which reads “Toil
is the law of life and it’s best
fruit.”.
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Finally, the tower holds
a caution to seek not just knowledge,
but wisdom:
“So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”
This is from the King James Version of The Bible, Psalm 90, Verse 12.
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Withrow’s planners decided to have four additional sayings carved into the stone walls on the outside of the main buildings that face Madison Road. Since these words can be easily read from outside the school grounds, they serve as a public declaration of the higher purposes of Withrow.
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First, on the west side inner wall are
carved the words that emphasize the obvious
focus of Withrow as an institution of
learning:
“To
Develop Intelligence and Skill”.
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Opposite this on the east side inner wall
is inscribed
“To
Inculcate Social and Civic Ideals”.
The word “Inculcate” is defined
as the process of implanting knowledge
and belief through persistent teaching,
a practice certainly followed by Withrow’s
many excellent teachers over the years.
There are two remaining sayings, though:
the ones on the outer walls of Withrow
that face the public most directly.
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On the west side outer wall are inscribed
words that challenge all to elevate the
purpose of the school in our community:
“To
Reveal Truth and Beauty”.
This helps explain how Withrow has become
well known not only for its athletic and
academic achievements, but for extraordinary
talent shows, after-school clubs, band
and choirs, and an active alumni association.
Withrow’s staff has empowered many
a student to recognize the beauty of ideas
in their lives. And who can deny the breathtaking
beauty of Withrow’s campus and the
effort so many have contributed maintaining
it so loyally over the years?
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The fourth saying, however, stands apart
from the other three.
Located on the east side outer wall, it
simply states why it is
personally worthwhile to attend and support
Withrow:
“For
a Broader and Richer Personal Life”.
Very
few schools can point to physical symbols
of commitment like Withrow’s inscriptions.
They have survived since 1919, physical
testimony to the notion that worthy ideas
endure.
The original designers of Withrow would
have been gratified to see students and
citizens take their ideas to heart.
Among many other reasons, the inscriptions
inspire us all to maintain the traditions
and ideals of Withrow now and always.
Contributed May 15, 2007 by the Withrow Alumni webmaster.
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