They will say that I, having no literary skill, cannot…
““They will say that I, having no literary skill, cannot properly express that which I desire to treat of, but they do not know that my subjects are to be dealt with by experience rather than by words. And [experience] has been the mistress of those who wrote well. And so, as mistress, I will cite her in all cases. Though I may not, like them, be able to quote other authors, I shall rely on that which is much greater and more worthy: on experience, the mistress of their masters.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Experience, not words, is the ultimate teacher; rely on lived knowledge over theory.
In simple terms: Experience teaches best.
Prioritize lived experience.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- education
- creative writing
- personal development
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does experience shape your work?
- When is theory more useful?
May undervalue theoretical insight.