"没有人的知识可以超越他的经验。"

People can only really know and understand things they have experienced themselves. This idea, while straightforward, holds a lot of weight. Think about it – if you've never tasted sushi, no matter how many cooking shows you watch, you won't truly know what it tastes like. You can imagine, sure, but it's not the same as that first bite of raw fish and rice.

This thought comes from John Locke, a philosopher from the 17th century. Back then, people were debating how we come to know things – is it all inborn, or do we learn through our experiences? Locke threw his hat in the ring, arguing that our minds start as a blank slate. Everything we know is painted on by our own experiences.

Imagine you're learning to drive. You can read the handbook cover to cover. You can watch countless YouTube tutorials. But until you get behind the wheel, feel the car's response, mess up a few parallel parks, you don't really know how to drive. It's the doing that teaches.

Take my friend Jake, for example. He thought he knew all about running a business after getting his MBA. He had the theories down cold and could recite case studies in his sleep. But starting his own coffee shop was a whole different beast. Hiring the right people, dealing with the grumpy supplier, understanding his customers’ preferences – these were things no textbook could teach. He had to live it.

Locke's insight is super practical. To really grasp something, dive in. Want to learn a language? Travel to where it's spoken. Interested in coding? Start building simple projects. Books and courses are great, but they’re just the beginning. Real understanding comes from rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty.

Let’s say you're mentoring someone new at work. You can tell them how to handle tough clients, but the best way for them to learn? Let them take the lead on a few calls. Be there to support, sure, but let them find their own way through it. They’ll stumble, but those stumbles are priceless lessons.

Picture this: you're at a coffee shop with a friend who's just heartbroken over a breakup. You try to console them, but you’ve never been in a serious relationship, so your words might lack depth. Contrast this with another friend who’s been through a similar heartbreak; their advice and empathy will carry the weight of experience. They’ve been there, and it shows.

This idea nudges us to step out of our comfort zones – to seek experiences rather than just knowledge. So, the next time you're tempted to think you've got something figured out just from a book or a video, remember Locke. Get out there and experience it for yourself. That’s where true understanding lies.