He that studies only men, will get the body of knowledge…
““He that studies only men, will get the body of knowledge without the soul; and he that studies only books, the soul without the body. He that to what he sees, adds observation, and to what he reads, reflection, is in the right road to knowledge, provided that in scrutinizing the heart of others, he neglects not his own.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Balancing study of people and books fosters both practical experience and inner wisdom, requiring observation, reflection, and self‑scrutiny.
In simple terms: Study both people and books for balanced knowledge.
Observe, reflect, and study yourself.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- education
- personal development
- self‑improvement
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What does studying others reveal about yourself?
- How can reflection deepen knowledge?