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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker questions the source of the listener's learning and the effort spent studying.
In plain terms
Where did you learn this and how hard did you study?
What can you take from it?
True learning requires hard work and dedication.

Where it applies

  • academic review
  • intellectual boasting

Putting it to work

  • assess effort
  • verify knowledge

Questions to consider

  • How do you measure learning?
  • Is effort always visible?

Another view

Learning can also come from experience not just books.

More from John Gay

  1. Life is a jest; and all things show it. I thought so once; and now I know it.

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  2. Where yet was ever found a mother Who'd give her booby for another?

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  3. No retreat. No retreat. They must conquer or die who've no retreat.

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