Lost wealth may be replaced by industry, lost knowledge by study, lost health by temperance or medicine, but lost time is gone forever.
Samuel SmilesRead
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.
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
All quotes βHope 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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