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The experience gathered from books, though often valuable, is but the nature of learning; whereas the experience gained from actual life is one of the nature of wisdom.
Samuel Smiles
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Books provide knowledge, but true wisdom comes from real-life experiences.

In this quote, Samuel Smiles emphasizes the difference between theoretical knowledge gained through reading and the practical wisdom acquired through life experiences. While books can supply valuable information and insights, it is the lessons learned from real-world interactions and situations that lead to a deeper understanding of life.

Themes

ExperienceWisdomLearningBooksKnowledge

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about lifelong learning.

More from Samuel Smiles

Lost wealth may be replaced by industry, lost knowledge by study, lost health by temperance or medicine, but lost time is gone forever.
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Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us.
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The career of a great man remains an enduring monument of human energy. The man dies and disappears, but his thoughts and acts survive and leave an indelible stamp upon his race.
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Wisdom and understanding can only become the possession of individual men by travelling the old road of observation, attention, perseverance, and industry.
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An intense anticipation itself transforms possibility into reality; our desires being often but precursors of the things which we are capable of performing.
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If we opened our minds to enjoyment, we might find tranquil pleasures spread about us on every side. We might live with the angels that visit us on every sunbeam, and sit with the fairies who wait on every flower.
Samuel SmilesRead

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One's own self is well hidden from one's own self; of all mines of treasure, one's own is the last to be dug up.
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A little wisdom, now and then

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