Syag, I have very positive attitude towards full time learning. Gemara says that it works only for some – very special – people, like Rashbi. Can I say “I agree” or is this presumptuous as it is sad that Gemora needs to be defended. Most of our Rabbis and Teachers came from this background. Speaking of that, how did R Yaakov Kamenetsky was earning a living? You may know the story – he was first a Rabbi at a very small shtetl in Lita. Then, in America, he signed up to fundraise on behalf of some organization. He was asking a businessman to contribute $X, “same as last year”. The guy checked his records and saw that he paid less than $X last year. “Please let them know this amount was wrong”. “I can’t”, Rav answered, “I already resigned”. I think this is integrity required of a T’Ch.
L’maase, I value more “life-long learning” than “full time” learning for part of life. They are not opposites of course.