--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The road to learning by precept is long…" description: "\"The road to learning by precept is long, but by example short and effective.\" — Seneca the Elder" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/662/seneca-the-elder-15979_education_the-road-to-learning-by-precept-is-long_1833264.png" --- # The road to learning by precept is long, but by example… ![“The road to learning by precept is long, but by example short and effective.” quote by Seneca the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/662/seneca-the-elder-15979_education_the-road-to-learning-by-precept-is-long_1833264.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/662/seneca-the-elder-15979_education_the-road-to-learning-by-precept-is-long_1833264.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/662/seneca-the-elder-15979_education_the-road-to-learning-by-precept-is-long_1833264.png) > “The road to learning by precept is long, but by example short and effective.” [Seneca the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-elder/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Learning through direct example is quicker and more impactful than abstract instruction. **In simple terms:** Examples teach faster than theory. Key Takeaway Use role models to teach. Themes education learning example efficacy Mood inspirational pragmatic Type didactic motivational When to use this quote - teaching children - corporate training - leadership development - public speaking Key Concepts Pedagogy experiential learning Questions to Reflect On - How can you find effective role models? - What limits do examples have? A Different Perspective Examples may not cover all nuances of a concept. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Example](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/example/) [Good examples](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-examples/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Learning Precept](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning-precept-2290766/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Long Example](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-example-2290767/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Precept](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precept/) [Precept Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precept-long-1669704/) [Short Effective](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/short-effective-2290768/) ## Related quotes > [The path of precept is long, that of example short and effectual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/the-path-of-precept-is-long-that-of-example-short-and-effectual/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [Examples draw where precept fails, and sermons are less read than tales.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-prior/examples-draw-where-precept-fails-and-sermons-are-less-read-than-tales/) [Matt Prior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-prior/) > [Men trust their eyes rather than their ears; the road by precept is long and tedious, by example short and effectual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/men-trust-their-eyes-rather-than-their-ears-the-road-by-precept-is/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [“Where is there virtue in this world that is of any practical good whose vital force is not to be found in example rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-hooker-dewey/where-is-there-virtue-in-this-world-that-is-of-any-practical-good/) [Edward Hooker Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-hooker-dewey/) > [My conclusion about Mr. Trump's unsuitability for office is based on his disregard for the precept of treating others with respect, an idea that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-collins/my-conclusion-about-mr-trump-s-unsuitability-for-office-is-based-on/) [Susan Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-collins/) > [In science, the best precept is to alter and exchange our ideas as fast as science moves ahead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-bernard/in-science-the-best-precept-is-to-alter-and-exchange-our-ideas-as/) [Claude Bernard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-bernard/) > [“MR. BROWNE'S SEPTEMBER PRECEPT: WHEN GIVEN THE CHOICE BETWEEN BEING RIGHT OR BEING KIND, CHOOSE KIND.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-j-palacio-2/mr-browne-s-september-precept-when-given-the-choice-between-being/) [R. J. Palacio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-j-palacio-2/) > [The most famous Obama precept is, 'No drama.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-pfeiffer/the-most-famous-obama-precept-is-no-drama/) [Dan Pfeiffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-pfeiffer/) > [“Step by step we shall get to see how truly this promise-precept”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-murray/step-by-step-we-shall-get-to-see-how-truly-this-promise-precept/) [Andrew Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-murray/) > [In almost everything, experience is more valuable than precept.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quintilian/in-almost-everything-experience-is-more-valuable-than-precept/) [Quintilian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quintilian/) > [There is no moral precept that does not have something inconvenient about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-diderot/there-is-no-moral-precept-that-does-not-have-something-inconvenient/) [Denis Diderot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-diderot/) > [“En No Gyōja, taught us an important precept: “If physical pain brings confusion in your heart, you are on the way to full liberation”.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ry-jun-shionuma/en-no-gy-ja-taught-us-an-important-precept-if-physical-pain-brings/) [Ryōjun Shionuma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ry-jun-shionuma/) > [“I would like to ofer some exercises that can help us use the Five Precepts to cultivate and strengthen mindfulness. It is best to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/i-would-like-to-ofer-some-exercises-that-can-help-us-use-the-five/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [The central activity of leadership is teaching - first by example, second by precept.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-russell-ballard/the-central-activity-of-leadership-is-teaching-first-by-example/) [M. Russell Ballard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-russell-ballard/) > [Example is more forcible than precept. People look at my six days in the week to see what I mean on the seventh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-cecil/example-is-more-forcible-than-precept-people-look-at-my-six-days-in/) [Robert Cecil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-cecil/) ## More by Seneca the Elder > [Let us be brave in the face of adversity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-elder/let-us-be-brave-in-the-face-of-adversity/) [Seneca the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-elder/) > [The mind is slow to unlearn what it learnt early.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-elder/the-mind-is-slow-to-unlearn-what-it-learnt-early/) [Seneca the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-elder/) > [Know this, that he that is a friend to himself, is a friend to all men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-elder/know-this-that-he-that-is-a-friend-to-himself-is-a-friend-to-all-men/) [Seneca the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-elder/) > [“It is of course better to know useless things than to know nothing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-elder/it-is-of-course-better-to-know-useless-things-than-to-know-nothing/) [Seneca the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-elder/) > [“To be everywhere; is to nowhere.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-elder/to-be-everywhere-is-to-nowhere/) [Seneca the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-elder/) > [There's some end at last for the man who follows a path; mere rambling is interminable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-elder/there-s-some-end-at-last-for-the-man-who-follows-a-path-mere-rambling/) [Seneca the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-elder/) > [Unhappy is the man, though he rule the world, who doesn't consider himself supremely blessed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-elder/unhappy-is-the-man-though-he-rule-the-world-who-doesn-t-consider/) [Seneca the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-elder/) > [Add each day something to fortify you against poverty and death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-elder/add-each-day-something-to-fortify-you-against-poverty-and-death/) [Seneca the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-elder/) > [It is for the superfluous things of life that men sweat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-elder/it-is-for-the-superfluous-things-of-life-that-men-sweat/) [Seneca the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-elder/) > [We should every night call ourselves to an account: What infirmity have I mastered today? What passions opposed! What temptation resisted? What virtue acquired?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-elder/we-should-every-night-call-ourselves-to-an-account-what-infirmity/) [Seneca the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-elder/) > [Malice drinks one-half of its own poison.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-elder/malice-drinks-one-half-of-its-own-poison/) [Seneca the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-elder/) > [If you wish to fear nothing, consider that everything is to be feared.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-elder/if-you-wish-to-fear-nothing-consider-that-everything-is-to-be-feared/) [Seneca the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-elder/) > [No man will swim ashore and take his baggage with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-elder/no-man-will-swim-ashore-and-take-his-baggage-with-him/) [Seneca the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-elder/) > [Failure changes for the better, success for the worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-elder/failure-changes-for-the-better-success-for-the-worse/) [Seneca the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-elder/) > [Unhappy is the man, though he rule the world, who doesn't consider himself supremely blessed. In order to consider himself supremely blessed he must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-elder/unhappy-is-the-man-though-he-rule-the-world-who-doesn-t-consider-2/) [Seneca the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-elder/) [Explore all 41 Seneca the Elder quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-elder/) ## More Education quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) [Ted Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-martinez/) > [“In school you are taught to obey and not to think straight for your own good. Otherwise the world would be full of millionaires…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mwanandeke-kindembo/in-school-you-are-taught-to-obey-and-not-to-think-straight-for-your/) [Mwanandeke Kindembo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mwanandeke-kindembo/) > [For successful education there must always be a certain freshness in the knowledge dealt with. It must be either new in itself or invested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/for-successful-education-there-must-always-be-a-certain-freshness-in/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [Where I grew up, learning was a collective activity. But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/where-i-grew-up-learning-was-a-collective-activity-but-when-i-got-to/) [Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/) > [There's no authoritarian structure at Reed College, but the education is conservative. So what you have is a lot of students who are very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-miller/there-s-no-authoritarian-structure-at-reed-college-but-the-education/) [Donald Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-miller/) > [“What's the best thing about being in college? Good teachers. They inspire you, they entertain you, and you end up learning a ton even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/what-s-the-best-thing-about-being-in-college-good-teachers-they/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [“If one has not a head of steel it will burst; if he has not within it a brain of liquid quicksilver, he will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ioannes-amos-commenius/if-one-has-not-a-head-of-steel-it-will-burst-if-he-has-not-within-it/) [Ioannes Amos Commenius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ioannes-amos-commenius/) > [“let us not teach / what we have learned badly / and not profited by”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-d-hilda-doolittle/let-us-not-teach-what-we-have-learned-badly-and-not-profited-by/) [H.D. (Hilda Doolittle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-d-hilda-doolittle/) > [“It took me years to learn to sit at my desk for more than two minutes at a time, to put up with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/it-took-me-years-to-learn-to-sit-at-my-desk-for-more-than-two-minutes/) [Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/) > [According to Plato, we don't learn anything. Our soul has lived so many lives that we know everything. Teachers and education can only remind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/according-to-plato-we-don-t-learn-anything-our-soul-has-lived-so-many/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [“I only began to enjoy studying after I got through the educational system and became a so-called member of society. If something interested me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-only-began-to-enjoy-studying-after-i-got-through-the-educational/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you had made the acquiring of ignorance the study of your life, you could not have graduated with higher honor than you could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/if-you-had-made-the-acquiring-of-ignorance-the-study-of-your-life-you/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [How wonderful it would be, I thought, if only we could practice the teachings of the Buddha as he really taught them from his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/how-wonderful-it-would-be-i-thought-if-only-we-could-practice-the/) [Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/) > [English teachers tend to put more thought in the books than the author did](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/english-teachers-tend-to-put-more-thought-in-the-books-than-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When will society, like a mother, take care of all her children?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/when-will-society-like-a-mother-take-care-of-all-her-children/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) [Browse all 37,666 Education quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The road to learning by precept is long, but by example short and effective.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Seneca the Elder" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-elder/the-road-to-learning-by-precept-is-long-but-by-example-short-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Education" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-elder/the-road-to-learning-by-precept-is-long-but-by-example-short-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/662/seneca-the-elder-15979_education_the-road-to-learning-by-precept-is-long_1833264.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/662/seneca-the-elder-15979_education_the-road-to-learning-by-precept-is-long_1833264.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/662/seneca-the-elder-15979_education_the-road-to-learning-by-precept-is-long_1833264.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The road to learning by precept is long, but by example short and effective.” — Seneca the Elder", "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": "Seneca the Elder", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-elder/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The road to learning by precept...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-elder/the-road-to-learning-by-precept-is-long-but-by-example-short-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-elder/the-road-to-learning-by-precept-is-long-but-by-example-short-and/#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 } } ] } ```