The revival of classical learning during the Renaissance helped to spread education in Europe
and promoted the creation of innovative thoughts.
In the trend of reviving classical literature, scholars
realized the importance of education and called for action.
Leonardo Bruni showed his awareness of the significance of education in his
"Study of Greek Literature and a Humanist Educational Program",
in which he gave several solid examples and argued persuasively that everyone should learn.
He supported education in action by translating Latin and Greek texts
and promoting the study of history as well.
Furthermore, in the study of antiquity there was
a newfound faith in the individual, which we refer to as individualism.
Individualists believed that human have unlimited potentials
and the power to shape their own lives.
Pico della Mirandola, for instance, argued in his "Oration on the Dignity of Man"
that human is the creature who “has joint possession of whatever had been peculiar to
each of the different kinds of being”,
and can “fashion thyself in whatever shape thou shalt prefer”.
He declares that humans were intended to exercise their intellectual capacities
and make themselves into the person they desired —
a whole new idea from the Medieval thoughts which views men as unworthy by virtue.
In addition, there was a marked change in the figure of ideal successful ruler,
as Niccolo Machiavelli demonstrated in "The Prince".
Rather than adhering to Christian moral teachings,
he encouraged princes to “learn how not to be good”, and “to be feared than loved”
in order to achieve political power. He showed what a prince should look like from a
new, strictly demoralized and realistic perspective,
which was totally different from the Medieval standards of a ruler.
Therefore, the study of antiquity in the ages of the Renaissance impacted the whole Europe by
spreading education and bringing about revolutionary thoughts.