Παιδεία (= education) has undergone a severe abuse both as a word and as a meaning throughout the ages. In our time many people associate it with the cognate wordἐκπαίδευση (= formal education). However, they are wrong. If we break up the compound word ἐκπαίδευση (=formal education), we will see that it consists of the preposition ἐκ, which means out, and of the ancient Greek noun παίδευσις (= education). That is to say, we come out of παιδεία (= education) during ἐκπαίδευση (=formal education), so as to be taught a specific capability, for instance, a foreign language or a craft. On the other hand, παιδεία (= education) is used in a much wider sense: it is the intellectual culture, the formulation of a strong and kind character, the adoption of ideals, the substantive capitalisation of the morals that historical knowledge can provide. That is to say, it is something essential for every person of every age, especially for children (= παιδιά). Besides, the wordπαιδεία is a cognate of the words παιδί (= child. It begins since childhood.), παιχνίδι (= game, toy. Games/Toys are associated withchildren), and also of παίδευση (= labour. Παιδεία = education is consolidated in humans’ soul and mind through labour).
However, can παιδεία (= education) be associated with the frugality of resources of a person? Of course, it can! This is because, thanks toπαιδεία (= education), people do not need to learn everything from the beginning, after they experience them. They exploit the knowledge and the experience that has been hoarded throughout the ages, they learn from the older people’s mishaps, but they are also inspired by their accomplishments. Thus, their life is trouble-free, since they make frugality of resources –perhaps even not being aware of it. That means they do not waste vital powers on options and ways that have been marked as perilous and vain by the wisdom of our ancestors. That obviously was what Menander had in mind when he opined: «Κάλλιστόν ἐστι κτῆμα παιδεία βροτοῖς» = “Παιδεία (= education) is the most beautiful acquisition for people”.
