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About this quote

What does it mean?
The author twists the old proverb to suggest teaching skills can lead to unintended messy outcomes.
In plain terms
Teaching someone to fish might create too many fish.
What can you take from it?
Empowerment can have unintended consequences.

Where it applies

  • critiquing aid
  • policy making
  • business scaling

Putting it to work

  • anticipate side effects
  • balance teaching and control
  • evaluate outcomes

Questions to consider

  • What if help creates problems?
  • How do you scale teaching safely?

Another view

The analogy assumes fishing always leads to overpopulation.

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