19 / 45 · 0%
19 / 451 min

Learn and Reflect

Word 19 · Better to Herd Swine

A child is not born a reasonable being. It is only by listening and watching, examining everything by touching and tasting, that it learns what is good and what is bad. The more a child sees and hears, the more it knows. One may learn a good deal by listening to wise men. It is not enough to be endowed with a brain—only by hearing and memorizing the teachings of the learnt and by avoiding vices one can grow up a complete person.

But if one listens to wise words either with excessive enthusiasm or, conversely, paying too little attention, without asking what may not be clear, trying to get to the heart of the matter or drawing one’s own conclusions, even though one may feel the wisdom and justice of such good counsels— what is the use of listening?

What can you talk about with a man who does not know the value of words?

As one sage put it: better to heed a pig that recognizes you…

0 Next Word20. Boredom and Empty Living

Explanation

Word 19 · Better to Herd Swine

Main idea

A child is not born reasonable: it learns by listening, watching, touching and tasting. One becomes a complete person by heeding the wise and avoiding vices. There is no point talking to someone who does not value words.

In plain words

  • “The more a child sees and hears, the more it knows.”
  • “One may learn a good deal by listening to wise men.”
  • A brain is not enough: one must remember the teachings of the learned and avoid vices.
  • Listening carelessly, without asking questions or drawing conclusions — “what is the use of listening?”
  • As one sage put it: “better to heed a pig that recognizes you”.

Difficult words

Endowed
given, gifted with.
Vices
bad habits, faults.
Sage
a wise person.
Heed
to pay attention to.

Something to reflect on

Do you feel shy about asking again when you have not understood something?

An editorial note, not Abai’s words. Prepared with the help of AI.

Share quote