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About this quote

What does it mean?
Be cautious of those who claim to teach you, as true learning often comes from within or through experience. External teachers may have hidden agendas or limitations.
In plain terms
Be careful when someone claims to teach you something.
What can you take from it?
Verify the source and motive of any teacher.

Where it applies

  • education
  • spiritual seeking
  • mentoring

Putting it to work

  • evaluating sources
  • self-study

Questions to consider

  • Who teaches you and why?
  • How do you verify teachings?

Another view

Many teachers provide valuable guidance and structured knowledge.

More from G. I. Gurdjieff

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  3. A ceremony is a book in which a great deal is written. Anyone who understands can read it. One rite often contains more than a hundred books.

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