How to Read “Like a treatise on light and colours by a blind man”
Like a treatise on light and colours by a blind man
[TREE-tiss on lite and KUH-lers by a blind man]
A treatise is a detailed written work about a specific subject.
Meaning of “Like a treatise on light and colours by a blind man”
Simply put, this proverb means trying to teach or explain something you don’t actually understand yourself.
The literal image paints a clear picture. A blind person has never seen light or colors. They might write a detailed book about these topics. But their knowledge would come only from what others told them. They would lack the direct experience that makes understanding complete. The proverb uses this striking image to show how hollow such explanations become.
We see this situation often in daily life. Someone gives advice about relationships but has never been in one. A person explains how to run a business without ever starting one. Students sometimes write reports about places they’ve never visited. The knowledge exists only on the surface. It lacks the depth that comes from real experience.
What makes this proverb powerful is how it reveals a common human tendency. People often speak with confidence about things they don’t truly know. Sometimes they don’t realize their knowledge is incomplete. Other times they hope no one will notice. The proverb reminds us that secondhand knowledge has clear limits. True understanding requires direct experience.
Origin and Etymology
The exact origin of this specific proverb is unknown. However, similar expressions about blind people discussing visual concepts appear in various forms across different languages and time periods. The concept reflects an ancient understanding about the limits of theoretical knowledge.
The image draws power from a time when blindness meant complete separation from the visual world. Before modern technology and support systems, blind individuals had no way to experience light and color directly. This made the contrast between their potential knowledge and actual experience very stark. Writers and speakers used this clear divide to illustrate their point about incomplete understanding.
The proverb likely spread through academic and literary circles first. The word “treatise” suggests it emerged in educated communities where formal written works were common. Over time, the basic idea adapted into simpler forms. People began using similar comparisons in everyday speech. The core message about experience versus theory remained constant as it traveled between cultures and generations.
Interesting Facts
The word “treatise” comes from Old French, meaning “to handle” or “to deal with.” It originally described any systematic written discussion of a subject. The term became popular in academic writing during medieval times when scholars wrote detailed works on specific topics.
This proverb uses a literary device called dramatic irony. The reader immediately understands the impossibility of the situation described. A blind person writing about visual experiences creates an obvious contradiction that makes the point memorable and clear.
Usage Examples
- Manager to colleague: “His presentation on customer service was full of theory but no experience – Like a treatise on light and colours by a blind man.”
- Coach to assistant: “She’s teaching swimming techniques but has never been in water – Like a treatise on light and colours by a blind man.”
Universal Wisdom
This proverb touches on a fundamental tension in human learning and knowledge sharing. Throughout history, people have needed to pass information between generations and across communities. Yet direct experience remains limited by time, geography, and individual circumstances. We constantly navigate the gap between what we know through experience and what we know through instruction.
The saying reveals our deep awareness that knowledge comes in different qualities. Humans instinctively recognize the difference between someone who has lived through something and someone who has only heard about it. This recognition served an important survival function for our ancestors. Following advice from someone with real experience increased chances of success. Trusting guidance from someone without experience could lead to dangerous mistakes.
The proverb also exposes our complicated relationship with authority and expertise. We want to trust those who claim knowledge, yet we remain suspicious of claims that seem disconnected from reality. This creates ongoing tension in how we evaluate information and choose whom to believe. The blind person writing about colors becomes a symbol for all the times we encounter knowledge that feels hollow or incomplete. It reminds us that true wisdom requires both information and experience working together.
When AI Hears This
We create impossible tests for our experts without realizing it. People want teachers who know everything but also lived everything. A doctor must understand disease but stay healthy. Leaders need battle wisdom without battle scars. This double standard quietly removes our best voices from important conversations.
Humans built this trap because we fear being fooled by fake experts. Direct experience feels more trustworthy than book learning alone. We think someone who lived through something knows it better. But this instinct backfires when the smartest people get pushed aside. Their deep knowledge becomes worthless if they lack the “right” background.
This flawed system actually protects us in clever ways. It forces experts to stay humble and connected to real people. It prevents know-it-alls from taking over completely. The blind light expert might understand physics perfectly but miss how light affects daily life. Our messy standards keep knowledge grounded in human reality, even when they seem unfair.
Lessons for Today
This ancient wisdom offers valuable guidance for navigating our information-rich world. When we encounter explanations or advice, we can ask ourselves about the speaker’s direct experience. This doesn’t mean dismissing all secondhand knowledge, but rather understanding its limitations. Recognizing the difference helps us make better decisions about which guidance to follow and which to question further.
The proverb also encourages humility in our own knowledge sharing. Before offering advice or explanations, we can honestly assess our level of direct experience. When our knowledge comes mainly from books, conversations, or observations, we can acknowledge these limitations. This honesty actually strengthens our credibility rather than weakening it. People trust those who are clear about what they know and how they know it.
Perhaps most importantly, this wisdom reminds us that learning never truly ends. Even experts in their fields continue gaining new experiences that deepen their understanding. The gap between theoretical knowledge and lived experience creates opportunities for growth rather than reasons for shame. We can embrace both types of learning while remaining honest about which type we’re offering to others. This balance leads to more authentic relationships and more effective communication.
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