Quintilian: 'In almost everything, experience is more valuable than precept.'

In almost everything, experience is more valuable than precept.

Quintilian, the ancient Roman rhetorician, once said, "In almost everything, experience is more valuable than precept." This quote captures the profound significance of hands-on learning and practical knowledge. It implies that direct engagement with the world around us surpasses mere theoretical understanding or instruction. Quintilian's words emphasize the necessity of gaining real-life experiences to truly grasp the complexities of various disciplines or skills.At face value, Quintilian's quote stresses the importance of learning through doing. It suggests that actively participating in a task or activity not only enhances one's expertise but also deepens their comprehension. Imagine a scenario where an aspiring musician spends years studying music theory in a classroom but has never touched a musical instrument. Their theoretical knowledge might be vast, but without practical experience, they are unlikely to reach a level of mastery. It is through practice, trial and error, and exposure to real-world challenges that true understanding and proficiency can be achieved.However, let us explore an unexpected philosophical concept to add intrigue to this discussion: the allegory of the cave by Plato. The allegory of the cave presents an allegorical scenario where prisoners have spent their entire lives chained inside a dark cave, facing a wall. They can only see the shadows of objects projected onto the wall from a fire behind them. These prisoners fail to grasp the reality beyond the cave. One day, a prisoner is freed and exposed to the outside world, illuminated by the sun. Initially blinded by the sunlight, the freed prisoner gradually adapts and begins to perceive the true nature of reality.Comparing Quintilian's quote with the allegory of the cave, an interesting parallel arises. Experience, in Quintilian's perspective, can be seen as the path of liberation from the cave's shadows. The prisoners in the allegory represent individuals who rely solely on precepts or theoretical knowledge. They are confined within the confines of their minds, unable to fully comprehend the intricacies of the world. By breaking free and engaging in lived experiences, one can discover the true essence hidden behind the shadows.Moreover, both Quintilian's quote and the allegory of the cave imply that experience not only promotes individual growth but also enables a more holistic understanding of the world. The shadows on the cave wall represent the limited perspectives gained solely from instruction or theory, while the real objects illuminated by the sun symbolize the richness and multi-dimensionality of lived experiences. Quintilian's emphasis on experience highlights the necessity of engaging with the world to broaden our horizons and gain a comprehensive outlook.While Quintilian's assertion on the supremacy of experience over precept may seem self-evident, it is essential to acknowledge the value of theory. Precepts, such as scientific laws, moral principles, or historical frameworks, provide a foundation on which practical experiences can be built. Experience alone might subject us to repetitive mistakes or prevent us from understanding the root causes of phenomena. Quintilian's quote, therefore, does not dismiss the importance of precepts but rather emphasizes their secondary role in comparison to experience.To conclude, Quintilian's quote, "In almost everything, experience is more valuable than precept", emphasizes the fundamental role of hands-on learning and practical knowledge in our personal and intellectual development. It underscores the necessity of actively engaging with the world to gain a comprehensive understanding of various disciplines. By contrasting this quote with the allegory of the cave, we can further appreciate the liberating power of experience, enabling us to perceive reality beyond the shadows and expand our horizons. Although precepts have their place, it is through experiential learning that we truly embrace the beauty and complexity of the world around us.