What are we doing in Latin class?

On Classical Philology

For philology is that venerable art which exacts from its followers one thing above all—to step to one side, to leave themselves spare moments, to grow silent, to become slow—the leisurely art of the goldsmith applied to language: an art which must carry out slow, fine work, and attains nothing if not lento. Thus philology is now more desirable than ever before; thus it is the highest attraction and incitement in an age of “work”: that is, of haste, of unseemly and immoderate hurry-skurry, which is so eager to “get things done” at once, even every book, whether old or new. Philology itself, perhaps, will not so hurriedly “get things done”. It teaches how to read well, that is, slowly, profoundly, attentively, prudently, with inner thoughts, with the mental doors ajar, with delicate fingers and eyes.

This quote was given out by my Latin teacher today. As good as this quote is, it's even more surprising to me who said it. I will wait for a few days before I reveal the author's name.