Common sense (which, in truth, is very uncommon) is the best sense I know of: abide by it; it will counsel you best.
Lord ChesterfieldRead
Learning is acquired by reading books; much more necessary learning, the knowledge of the world, is only to be acquired by reading men, and studying all the various editions of them.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True knowledge comes from both reading and personal interactions with people.
The quote emphasizes that while books provide valuable information and learning, the deeper understanding of life and the world is gained through observing and studying people. It highlights the importance of social interactions and relationships in the learning process, suggesting that experiences with individuals offer lessons that cannot be found in written texts alone.
Themes
LearningKnowledgeEducationBooksPeopleExperience
In practice
Example use cases
Using this quote in a speech about the importance of experiential learning in education.
More from Lord Chesterfield
All quotes →Never seem wiser, nor more learned, than the people you are with. Wear your learning, like your watch, in a private pocket: and do not merely pull it out and strike it; merely to show that you have one.
Lord ChesterfieldRead
If you can once engage people's pride, love, pity, ambition on your side, you need not fear what their reason can do against you.
Lord ChesterfieldRead
Merit and knowledge will not gain hearts, though they will secure them when gained.
Lord ChesterfieldRead
Firmness of purpose is one of the best instruments of success.
Lord ChesterfieldRead
Wit is so shining a quality that everybody admires it; most people aim at it, all people fear it, and few love it unless in themselves. A man must have a good share of wit himself to endure a great share of it in another.
Lord ChesterfieldRead
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