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About this quote

What does it mean?
There are two kinds of knowledge: personal experience and knowing where to find information.
In plain terms
Knowledge is either what you know or where to find it.
What can you take from it?
Both personal expertise and information‑search skills matter.

Where it applies

  • research
  • problem solving
  • education

Putting it to work

  • develop search skills
  • value lived experience

Questions to consider

  • How do we balance personal expertise with external resources?
  • When is one type more valuable than the other?

Another view

The distinction may blur in collaborative environments.

More from Samuel Johnson

  1. Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.

    Permalink to quote #142
  2. There is now less flogging in our great schools than formerly, but then less is learned there; so that what the boys get at one end they lose at the other.

    Permalink to quote #144
  3. A man will turn over half a library to make one book.

    Permalink to quote #141

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