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July 14th

A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS DANGEROUS

“Every great power is dangerous for the beginner. You must

therefore wield them as you are able, but in harmony with nature.”

—EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 3.13.20

reat teachers are usually hardest on their most promising students.
When teachers see potential, they want it to be fully realized. But
great teachers are also aware that natural ability and quick comprehension
can be quite dangerous to the student if left alone. Early promise can lead to
overconfidence and create bad habits. Those who pick things up quickly are
notorious for skipping the basic lessons and ignoring the fundamentals.
Don’t get carried away. Take it slow. Train with humility.