Re: Experience is the best teacher
Posted by ESC on June 29, 2003 In Reply to: Experience is the best teacher
posted by ope on June 29, 2003
: hi please help me with this assignment what is the meaning of
the proverb experience is the best teacher?
Most people learn more by doing something than by reading about
it.
EXPERIENCE IS THE BEST TEACHER - "The great Roman leader Julius
Caesar recorded the earliest known version of this proverb, 'Experience
is the teacher of all things,' in 'De Bello Civili' (c. 52 B.C.).
Over a century later, the Roman author Pliny the Elder in 'Naturalis
Historia' (A.D. 77) wrote, 'Experience is the most efficient teacher
of all things,' and the Roman historian Tacitus said simply, 'Experience
teaches,' in his 'Histories' (c. 209). The earliest English rendering
appeared in 1539 as 'Experience is mother of prudence,' which was
included in Richard Taverner's 'Proverbes or Adagies.'.the exact
wording, 'Experience is the best teacher,' appeared in the 'Widow
Bedott Papers' (1856) by Frances M. Whitcher." From "Wise Words
and Wives' Tales: The Origins, Meanings and Time-Honored Wisdom
of Proverbs and Folk Sayings Olde and New" by Stuart Flexner and
Doris Flexner (Avon Books, New York, 1993).
Another source gives the meaning and a later date for the first
English rendering: "One learns more from experience than from books.
The proverb has been traced back to 'The Schoolmaster' (1568) by
Roger Ascham and comes from the L*tin phrase 'experiential docent'
meaning 'experience teaches.' Water Scott (1854-1900) disagrees
with the proverb, saying that 'experience is the name every one
gives tho their mistakes.'." From "Random House Dictionary of Popular
Proverbs and Sayings" by Gregory Y. Titelman (Random House, New
York, 1996).
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