Dear Fellow Traveler,
There is an ancient debate between theory and practice. Although they are both needed — it is easy to overlook the importance of practice (or living out a philosophy of life). The Stoic philosopher Musonius Rufus was asked: “Is practice or theory more important?”
Musonius responded,
Suppose there are two men, one of whom has sailed many times and has already piloted many boats, and the other of whom has sailed few times and has never been a pilot. Suppose the one who has never been a pilot can speak very fluently about the theory of navigation, and suppose the other speaks poorly and incoherently. Which would you hire as a pilot if you were sailing?
“Suppose there are two musicians,” Musonius explained. “One understands musical theory and talks about it most fluently but cannot sing or play the cithara or lyre. The other is ignorant of theory but plays the cithara and lyre well and can sing. Which one would you want as a performer?”
