Compare these two quotes, one from a play and the other from a philosopher.
“He who can, does; he who cannot, teaches.”
George Bernard Shaw, Man & Superman, 1903 Maxims for Revolutionists
“Those that know, do. Those that understand, teach.”
Aristotle
Great art pulls from the past, but it appears that more modern attitudes towards higher education skewed the original message. This dismissive quote drives me nuts as I know first hand the effort and care teachers put forth to their students. Teaching is a unique talent for delivering information and having it understood.
Teaching is not sloppy seconds to a skilled career.
There are definitely ineffective teachers that have helped this myth along but there are just as many terrible do’ers. Also, let’s not forget not all do’ers CAN teach and not all teachers CAN’T do! Some do both, though maybe not at the same level at the same time. Why not celebrate those who truly intend to continue the message and uplift the student.
Lastly I have to share how I stumbled upon Aristotle’s original quote. I love listening to podcasts while I fold laundry. I was listening to Busting Creative Myths 2.0 by the Jealous Curator. Her guest Andy J Pizza mentioned he had addressed this quote in his own podcast Creative Pep Talk. A listener had sent in Aristotle’s proverb after hearing his show. Mr. Pizza felt very strongly about debunking this myth and sharing the original meaning of the proverb valuing the unique talents of those who are able to teach.
