The sight of a drunkard is a better sermon against that vice than the best that was ever preached on that subject.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Seeing the negative effects of a vice is more persuasive than hearing arguments against it.
- In plain terms
- Witnessing bad behavior teaches more than listening to a sermon about it.
- What can you take from it?
- Actions and consequences teach better than words alone.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you learn best?
- When do examples work better than rules?
Another view
Some people may ignore visible consequences.
More from George Savile
The people are never so perfectly backed, but that they will kick and fling if not stroked at seasonable times.
Permalink to quote #35 The vanity of teaching doth oft tempt a man to forget that he is a blockhead.
Permalink to quote #37 The invisible thing called a Good Name is made up of the breath of numbers that speak well of you.
Permalink to quote #34
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