A man may as well expect to grow stronger by always eating as wiser by always reading

A man may as well expect to grow stronger by always eating as wiser by always reading

Jeremy Collier was an English theatre critic, non-juror bishop, and theologian who lived in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He was known for his strong opinions on morality and ethics, particularly in relation to the arts. One of his most famous quotes is, "A man may as well expect to grow stronger by always eating as wiser by always reading."

This quote speaks to the idea that simply consuming information or material does not necessarily lead to personal growth or development. Just as a man cannot expect to become physically stronger by constantly eating without exercising, he cannot expect to become wiser by simply reading without reflecting, analyzing, and applying the knowledge gained.

Collier believed that true wisdom comes from a combination of learning, reflection, and experience. Merely reading books or consuming information without actively engaging with the material and critically thinking about it will not lead to true understanding or wisdom. It is not enough to passively absorb information; one must also actively engage with it, question it, and apply it to one's own life in order to truly grow and develop intellectually.