It started with Socrates. He began by discussing the nature of truth with his friends. Among them was born the first community of learners about which we have any reliable evidence. This community laid the conceptual foundation for a society governed by human dignity and justice, the rule of law and ideals of moral character. All of us are the heirs of that society. If such a humane culture is to continue, we need to reforge it constantly in our elementary and secondary classrooms.