That was Larry Summers’ advice to Harvard undergrads in an event billed as Summers’ “final event” with undergrads (although the baccalaureate and Commencement come to mind).

According to the Crimson, Summers said, “At a time like this, the question should never be what you’re against. It should be what you’re for, and what each of us individually can do that is really important and that can make a difference and change the world…this University, as it strengthens itself, has the potential to do just that.”

Asked about reports that he had once referred to Harvard College as “Camp Harvard,” Summers responded that he was “substantially misquoted.” He added that he could not remember “precisely in what context, if at all, I used the phrase ‘Camp Harvard.”

But he said that if he had used the phrase, it was in reference to high student satisfaction in extracurricular actitivies outside academics—and his view that a similar level of excitement should be maintained in the classroom.

Translation: I was misquoted, although I don’t remember what I said, but if I did say it this is what I meant.

Of course, the second of those assertions negates the first, and the third does not follow logically from the second.

And the first assertion isn’t true in the first place.

Summers was not substantially misquoted, according to people I interviewed for Harvard Rules. At a first year-meeting with house tutors, he emphasized his desire for students to work harder by saying, “We don’t want this place to be Camp Harvard.”

It is a little difficult to see how that translates into discussing “high student satisfaction with extracurricular activities outside academics.”

Why the Washington-style dissembling? What possible difference could it make now?

How about this for a response: “I was being hyperbolic, but sometimes I do worry that the students’ devotion to extracurriculars comes at the expense of their classroom work.”

In the end, it’s just easier to tell the truth….