Avant-Propos
1906 — L’Éducation des Adolescents au XXe Siècle
Félix Alcan, Volume I, p. i–xiv
The Instinctive Answer to Modern Uncertainty:
“If we were to ask ourselves what quality is most likely to ensure the future of our children, a wise instinct would answer that it is la débrouillardise.”
Context:
Coubertin introduces débrouillardise as the single most important modern virtue, surpassing even discipline.
He frames it as the essential adaptation to the instability and rapid transformation of democratic life in the twentieth century.
This marks a shift away from older ideals like strict obedience toward versatility, initiative, and practical self direction.
Not a Rogue, Not a Climber — A New Civic Ideal:
“The débrouillard that the era needs will be neither a rogue nor a social climber, but simply a boy who is skilled with his hands, quick to make an effort, supple in his muscles, resistant to fatigue, with a quick eye, firm in his decision making, and trained in advance for those changes of place, profession, situation, habits and ideas that the fertile instability of modern societies makes necessary.”
Context:
Coubertin redefines the débrouillard away from trickery or opportunism, presenting it instead as a model of civic competence.
The passage reframes the term from its colloquial naval roots into a structured pedagogical and moral ideal for youth development.
Training for Real-World Situations:
“It is thanks to athletic exercises, in fact, that he will never feel embarrassed when faced with a rescue mission, self defense, an effort, or a means of locomotion. It is thanks to them that he will gain self confidence and earn the respect of others.”
Context:
Without explicitly repeating the word, Coubertin reinforces that forming a débrouillard requires practical, lived training, emphasizing readiness, composure, and physical problem solving.
Critique of Elitist Assumptions:
“Such training seemed accessible only to a privileged few… only individuals with exceptional physical abilities were considered capable of succeeding.”
Context:
Coubertin challenges the notion that practical resilience is a gift reserved for elites.
He insists that becoming a débrouillard should be a widely accessible educational outcome, not a private advantage..
Physical Education as Core Curriculum:
“What reason… would there be to apply a different principle to matters of physical education?”
Context:
Coubertin argues that the training of débrouillards deserves the same seriousness as academic education.
It must not remain optional, but be recognized as essential to complete human development.
Key Insight:
The Avant-Propos plants Coubertin’s clearest philosophical flag: the future belongs not to the blindly obedient, but to those trained in adaptable capability, internal resilience, and civic versatility. He elevates the débrouillard from a casual type into the centerpiece of a modern educational mission.
