"He Who Can, Does. He Who Cannot, Teaches"

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 8 April 2024 I've always loved Leonardo da Vinci's famous quote and pasted it on the wall of my pad: "He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches." The famous quote by Leonardo Da Vinci, "He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches," encapsulates a common perception that skill and knowledge are often mutually exclusive. Da Vinci, renowned for his genius in multiple disciplines, implies that those who possess true capability and talent often prefer to dedicate their energy towards active pursuits rather than simply imparting knowledge to others. While this quote may be seen as somewhat disdainful towards teaching, it underscores the idea that true mastery often lies in practical application rather than theoretical instruction. However, it is important to recognize the invaluable role of teachers who guide and inspire students, cultivating a new generation of capable doers and thinkers. This sarcastic quote also applies to most of the critics who failed to become poets and writers of repute. Though there've been famous poets, writers and critics like Shamsur Rahman Faruqi, Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi, Khaleel-ur-Rahman Azmi in Urdu and Dr Matthew Arnold and William Hazlitt in English, most of the Naqqaad (critics) tried to 'teach' poets and writers how to write! In Delhi and elsewhere, often the failed UPSC aspirants open a coaching centre and 'teach' those who want to join IAS, IPS and IFS. Da Vinci's quote has a much deeper meaning. It doesn't criticise teachers. Rather, it makes fun of those who talk too much and do precious little. Radeef Barabankwi, a humorous Urdu poet from Barabanki in UP, aptly illustrated Vinci's quote through his couplet, “Hua Jinhein Irfaan, Woh Khamosh Ho Gaye/ Baaqi Bache Log Baba Ban Gaye" ( Those who had self-realization, became silent/ The remaining ones became 'spiritual' gurus). Our garrulous national 'spiritual' gurus Jaggi and Ravi Shankar are the perfect examples. Qurban Bhagalpuri added to it, "Bolne Wale Mudarris Ban Gaye/ Bahut Bolne Wale Siyasat Mein Chale Gaye" (Those who talked, became teachers/ Those who talked a tad too much, eventually joined politics!). Our political leaders, with dubious academic credentials, teach students how to study and clear exams. You may have got the insinuation. Richard Bach famously put it, " You teach best what you most need to learn." Empty vessels make the most noise and coins are always noisier than the currencies. Naatiq Lakhnawi aptly said, "Kah Raha Hai Shor-e-Dariya Se Samandar Ka Sukoot/ Jis Ka Jitna Zarf Hai Utna Hi Woh Khamosh Hai" (The tranquillity of the sea tells the noisy river/ One with a higher and nobler character is always equally silent). All the political leaders busy in election campaigns and ranting non-stop, must mull over Naatiq Lakhnawi's couplet. But do they understand these subtleties? Had they understood, they would not have become politicians! ---- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/leonardo-da-vinci-jaggi/d/132098 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism