--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I listened more than I studied…" description: "\"I listened more than I studied... therefore little by little my knowledge and ability were developed.\" — Joseph Haydn" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/208/joseph-haydn-25205_ability_i-listened-more-than-i-studied-therefore_2237071.jpg" --- # I listened more than I studied... therefore little by… ![“I listened more than I studied... therefore little by little my knowledge and ability were developed.” quote by Joseph Haydn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/208/joseph-haydn-25205_ability_i-listened-more-than-i-studied-therefore_2237071.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/208/joseph-haydn-25205_ability_i-listened-more-than-i-studied-therefore_2237071.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/208/joseph-haydn-25205_ability_i-listened-more-than-i-studied-therefore_2237071.jpg) > “I listened more than I studied... therefore little by little my knowledge and ability were developed.” [Joseph Haydn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-haydn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Learning by listening more than studying leads to gradual growth in knowledge and skill. **In simple terms:** Listening beats studying for steady skill development. Key Takeaway Prioritize active listening. Themes learning skill development humility Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type advice inspirational When to use this quote - classroom discussions - mentorship - podcast listening - team meetings Key Concepts education theory experiential learning Questions to Reflect On - What have you learned by listening more? - How can you balance listening and studying? A Different Perspective Over-reliance on passive study may limit depth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Little knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/little-knowledge/) ## Related quotes > [I am a musicologist, a doctor of music. Therefore I listened to, studied and analysed a lot of music. I also enjoy metaphors, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-horner/i-am-a-musicologist-a-doctor-of-music-therefore-i-listened-to-studied/) James Horner > [I've found that most people who studied when they were little, even if they never took another tap class, it's percussive, so it stays…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-steenburgen/i-ve-found-that-most-people-who-studied-when-they-were-little-even-if/) [Mary Steenburgen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-steenburgen/) > [I have come to the definite conclusion that musical ability is not an inborn talent but an ability which can be developed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shinichi-suzuki/i-have-come-to-the-definite-conclusion-that-musical-ability-is-not-an/) [Shinichi Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shinichi-suzuki/) > [“a fixed ability that needs to be proven, and a changeable ability that can be developed through learning.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-s-dweck/a-fixed-ability-that-needs-to-be-proven-and-a-changeable-ability-that/) [Carol S. Dweck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-s-dweck/) > [There's always a little truth behind every just kidding. A little knowledge behind every I don't know. A little emotion behind every I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-s-always-a-little-truth-behind-every-just-kidding-a-little/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It was too bad, but sometimes a little knowledge could ruin your whole day, or at least take off some of the shine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-kelly/it-was-too-bad-but-sometimes-a-little-knowledge-could-ruin-your-whole/) [Jacqueline Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-kelly/) > [We know very little, and yet it is astonishing that we know so much, and still more astonishing that so little knowledge can give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/we-know-very-little-and-yet-it-is-astonishing-that-we-know-so-much/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [“Foolish men always believe that a little knowledge will give them control over the world, but it is no more than a display of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-p-vinluca/foolish-men-always-believe-that-a-little-knowledge-will-give-them/) J. P. Vinluca > [A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but a little want of knowledge is also a dangerous thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-butler/a-little-knowledge-is-a-dangerous-thing-but-a-little-want-of/) [Samuel Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-butler/) > [There's a little truth behind every (just kidding) A little curiosity behind every (just wondering) A little knowledge behind every (I don't know) And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/there-s-a-little-truth-behind-every-just-kidding-a-little-curiosity/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [ Heres a little truth behind every \[justkidding\] a little curiosity behind every \[justwondering\] a little knowledge behind every \[idontknow\] and a little emotion behind… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mulfat/heres-a-little-truth-behind-every-justkidding-a-little-curiosity/) [Mulfat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mulfat/) > [To sing you must first open your mouth. You must have a pair of lungs, and a little knowledge of music. It is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-miller/to-sing-you-must-first-open-your-mouth-you-must-have-a-pair-of-lungs/) [Henry Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-miller/) > [With little knowledge of what it meant to be a Jew, I found myself passionately defending the Jewish people. Now, half a century later,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-douglas/with-little-knowledge-of-what-it-meant-to-be-a-jew-i-found-myself/) [Michael Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-douglas/) > [There is a tendency among men as well as women ... so soon as they have acquired a little knowledge of some kind, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/murasaki-shikibu/there-is-a-tendency-among-men-as-well-as-women-so-soon-as-they-have/) [Murasaki Shikibu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/murasaki-shikibu/) > [We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/we-know-accurately-only-when-we-know-little-with-knowledge-doubt/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) ## More by Joseph Haydn > [The life's story of great geniuses is a sad one, without much tangible reward, which does not inspire future generations to face a similar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-haydn/the-life-s-story-of-great-geniuses-is-a-sad-one-without-much-tangible/) [Joseph Haydn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-haydn/) > [Children be comforted, I am well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-haydn/children-be-comforted-i-am-well/) [Joseph Haydn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-haydn/) > [There was no one near to confuse me, so I was forced to become original.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-haydn/there-was-no-one-near-to-confuse-me-so-i-was-forced-to-become-original/) [Joseph Haydn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-haydn/) > [ The custom of saluting \[i.e., embracing\] ladies by their relatives and friends was introduced, it is said, by the early Romans, not out of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-haydn/the-custom-of-saluting-i-e-embracing-ladies-by-their-relatives-and/) [Joseph Haydn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-haydn/) > [I was for some time quite beside myself and could not believe that Providence could have required the presence of this indispensable man in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-haydn/i-was-for-some-time-quite-beside-myself-and-could-not-believe-that/) [Joseph Haydn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-haydn/) > [Mozart is the incarnation of music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-haydn/mozart-is-the-incarnation-of-music/) [Joseph Haydn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-haydn/) > [“I tell you before God, and as an honest man, your son is the greatest composer known to me by person and repute, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-haydn/i-tell-you-before-god-and-as-an-honest-man-your-son-is-the-greatest/) [Joseph Haydn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-haydn/) > [When I think of my God, my heart dances within me for joy, and then my music has to dance, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-haydn/when-i-think-of-my-god-my-heart-dances-within-me-for-joy-and-then-my/) [Joseph Haydn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-haydn/) > [I'm going to commune with God and I must be appropriately dressed!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-haydn/i-m-going-to-commune-with-god-and-i-must-be-appropriately-dressed/) [Joseph Haydn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-haydn/) > [Rules are my very humble, obedient servants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-haydn/rules-are-my-very-humble-obedient-servants/) [Joseph Haydn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-haydn/) > [I tell you before God, and as an honest man, your son (W A Mozart)is the greatest composer known to me by person and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-haydn/i-tell-you-before-god-and-as-an-honest-man-your-son-w-a-mozart-is-the/) [Joseph Haydn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-haydn/) > [When I think upon my God, my heart is full of joy that the notes dance and leap from my pen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-haydn/when-i-think-upon-my-god-my-heart-is-full-of-joy-that-the-notes-dance/) [Joseph Haydn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-haydn/) > [Young people can learn from my example that something can come from nothing. What I have become is the result of my hard efforts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-haydn/young-people-can-learn-from-my-example-that-something-can-come-from/) [Joseph Haydn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-haydn/) > [I would give my best quartet for a good razor,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-haydn/i-would-give-my-best-quartet-for-a-good-razor/) [Joseph Haydn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-haydn/) > [Whenever I think of God I can only conceive of Him as a Being infinitely great and infinitely good. This last quality of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-haydn/whenever-i-think-of-god-i-can-only-conceive-of-him-as-a-being/) [Joseph Haydn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-haydn/) [Explore all 23 Joseph Haydn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-haydn/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I listened more than I studied... therefore little by little my knowledge and ability were developed.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joseph Haydn" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-haydn/i-listened-more-than-i-studied-therefore-little-by-little-my/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ability" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-haydn/i-listened-more-than-i-studied-therefore-little-by-little-my/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/208/joseph-haydn-25205_ability_i-listened-more-than-i-studied-therefore_2237071.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/208/joseph-haydn-25205_ability_i-listened-more-than-i-studied-therefore_2237071.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/208/joseph-haydn-25205_ability_i-listened-more-than-i-studied-therefore_2237071.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I listened more than I studied... therefore little by little my knowledge and ability were developed.” — Joseph Haydn", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Joseph Haydn", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-haydn/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I listened more than I studied......", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-haydn/i-listened-more-than-i-studied-therefore-little-by-little-my/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-haydn/i-listened-more-than-i-studied-therefore-little-by-little-my/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```