--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: People have now a-days, (said he,) got a…" description: "\"“People have now a-days, (said he,) got a strange opinion that every thing should be taught by lectures. Now, I cannot see that lectures can do so much..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe0/samuel-johnson-50_books_people-have-now-a-days-said-he-got-a-str_718610.jpg" --- # People have now a-days, (said he,) got a strange opinion… ![“People have now a-days, (said he,) got a strange opinion that every thing should be taught by lectures. Now, I cannot see that lectures can do so much good as reading the books from which the lectures are taken. I know nothing that can be best taught by lectures, except where experiments are to be…” quote by Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe0/samuel-johnson-50_books_people-have-now-a-days-said-he-got-a-str_718610.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe0/samuel-johnson-50_books_people-have-now-a-days-said-he-got-a-str_718610.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fe0/samuel-johnson-50_books_people-have-now-a-days-said-he-got-a-str_718610.jpg) > ““People have now a-days, (said he,) got a strange opinion that every thing should be taught by lectures. Now, I cannot see that lectures can do so much good as reading the books from which the lectures are taken. I know nothing that can be best taught by lectures, except where experiments are to be shewn. You may teach chymistry by lectures.—You might teach making of shoes by lectures!”” [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Lectures are limited; true learning comes from reading original texts and hands‑on experiments. **In simple terms:** Reading and doing teach better than lectures. Key Takeaway Seek primary sources and practical experience. Themes education critical thinking experience Mood analytical thoughtful Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - self‑study - lab work - skill workshops Key Concepts lecture limitations self‑directed learning experimentation Questions to Reflect On - When are lectures most effective? - How can you balance reading and practice? A Different Perspective Some topics may still benefit from structured lectures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading/) ## Related quotes > [People have now a-days got a strange opinion that every thing should be taught by lectures. Now, I cannot see that lectures can do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/people-have-now-a-days-got-a-strange-opinion-that-every-thing-should/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“I teach the way that I wish I was taught. 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Rahman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-r-rahman/) > [“Within the pages of books, I've journeyed to Mandalay, the Milky Way and Santa Fe, without once having to leave my armchair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-ansbro/within-the-pages-of-books-i-ve-journeyed-to-mandalay-the-milky-way/) [Kevin Ansbro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-ansbro/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! 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