"読むことは聞くことより速いです。行うことは見ることより速いです。"

The essence of this quote is pretty straightforward: if you want to absorb information quickly, reading is more efficient than listening to it; and if you're aiming to learn a skill or accomplish a task, actively doing it is more effective than just watching someone else. It’s a reminder to take a proactive approach to learning and doing.

Historically speaking, this quote is relevant in today's fast-paced world where we are constantly bombarded with information and tasks. With the rise of audiobooks and video tutorials, it’s easy to get into the habit of consuming information passively. The quote encourages us to engage more actively with the information and skills we seek.

Let’s take a real-life example: cooking. You can read a recipe in a few minutes, understanding the steps and ingredients. Compare that to watching a 20-minute cooking video—reading is undeniably faster. Now, think about mastering a dish. Watching a professional chef make a soufflé is helpful, but the real learning happens when you roll up your sleeves and make it yourself. You'll make mistakes, but those mistakes are invaluable for learning.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your own life? Start by prioritizing reading over just listening when you're trying to learn something new. If you’re preparing for a presentation, read through your materials instead of relying solely on audio recordings. You'll likely find you grasp the content more quickly.

When it comes to skills, don’t just watch tutorials. Get hands-on. If you’re learning to play guitar, for example, watching YouTube videos can be a great start. But you’ll only improve by actually picking up the guitar and practicing. Make mistakes, learn from them, and keep practicing.

Imagine you're trying to improve your public speaking. You could watch countless TED Talks and read books on the subject, but until you stand up in front of an audience—even if it's just a few friends in your living room—you won’t truly improve. I remember my first attempt at public speaking. I had read a lot about it and watched videos by experienced speakers. I thought I was prepared, but when I actually spoke in front of people, my nerves got the better of me. Over time, by repeatedly practicing and getting feedback, I became more comfortable and confident. The doing was what really made the difference.

In this fast-evolving world, being quick and proactive is crucial. So the next time you're faced with a choice between reading an article or listening to a podcast, or between watching a tutorial and actually trying the task, remember this quote. Speed up your learning; engage more actively. Read quickly, but thoroughly. Do actively, and learn deeply. You’ll be surprised at how much more you can achieve.