When the belly is empty, the body becomes spirit; and when it is full, the spirit becomes body.
SaadiRead
However much you study, you cannot know without action. A donkey laden with books is neither an intellectual nor a wise man. Empty of essence, what learning has he whether upon him is firewood or book?
Interpretation
What this quote means
Knowledge is meaningless without practical application; simply studying does not equate to wisdom.
In this quote, Saadi emphasizes that acquiring knowledge through study is not sufficient in itself; one must also engage in action to truly understand and attain wisdom. A mere accumulation of information, likened to a donkey burdened with books, lacks substance and does not lead to intellectual or wise outcomes without real-world application and experience.
Themes
KnowledgeActionWisdomLearningEducationExperience
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech emphasizing the importance of practical skills in education.
More from Saadi
All quotes →A friend whom you have been gaining during your whole life, you ought not to be displeased with in a moment. A stone is many years becoming a ruby - take care that you do not destroy it in an instant against another stone.
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Ants, fighting together, will vanquish the lion.
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An enemy to whom you show kindness becomes your friend, excepting lust, the indulgence of which increases its enmity.
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