"آنهایی که می‌دانند، انجام می‌دهند. آنهایی که می‌فهمند، تدریس می‌کنند."

The core idea of this quote is really about the different layers of expertise and the impact of understanding versus simply doing. When someone knows how to do something, they can perform the task competently. But if they truly understand it, they can break it down, explain it, and teach others how to do it. Teaching requires a deeper knowledge—one that goes beyond just practice and involves articulating concepts and guiding others.

Let’s take a step back and look at the historical context of this saying. It’s often attributed to Aristotle, though the exact origins are a bit murky. The essence of this idea has been echoed through centuries of educational philosophy. Aristotle placed a high value on the process of teaching because it reflects a comprehensive grasp of the subject matter. Essentially, those who teach do so because they’ve gone beyond just doing; they've mastered the understanding enough to help others learn.

Picture a real-life example to ground this concept. Imagine you’re learning to play the piano. Your first teacher is a concert pianist. They can play incredibly well, but they struggle to explain the intricacies of music theory or the techniques they’re using. You might get better by mimicking them, but your foundational understanding might stay pretty shallow. Now, let’s think about your second teacher. They might not perform at the same world-class level, but they’ve spent years teaching. They understand the theory inside and out. They can explain why certain scales work, how to position your fingers for different chords, and can adapt their teaching to your learning style. Under their guidance, you don’t just play—you understand.

So, how can you apply this wisdom? If you’re striving to master something, aim to go beyond performing it well. Dive into the why’s and how’s of the subject. Challenge yourself to explain it to someone else. Join a study group, lead a workshop, or simply help a friend. Teaching forces you to organize your thoughts and deepen your understanding. When you teach, you discover gaps in your knowledge and reinforce what you know by verbalizing it.

Here’s a relatable scenario. Imagine you’ve just learned a new skill at work—let’s say it’s a software tool used for project management. You’re pretty good at using it now, but the real test of your understanding comes when a colleague asks for help. You sit down with them and start explaining how to use the tool. You realize that explaining the functions requires you to think about them in a structured way. Suddenly, questions arise that hadn’t crossed your mind before. You find yourself not just explaining how to do things, but why they’re done that way. By the end of the session, you understand the software much better than before—and your colleague has learned a lot too.

Teaching is underrated as a tool for learning. So next time you’re trying to master a skill, don't just practice it—teach it. Explain it to your friends, write about it, or walk someone through it step-by-step. You’ll be surprised at how much deeper your understanding will become. Plus, sharing knowledge feels great; it's a win-win.