Quote by Henry David Thoreau
He who is only a traveler learns things at second-hand and by the halves, and is poor authority. We are most interested when science reports what those men already know practically or instinctively, for that alone is a true humanity, or account of human experience.
Summary
This quote suggests that individuals who merely observe or hear about experiences without personally living them have a limited understanding and are not credible sources of knowledge. The quote emphasizes that true understanding and credibility come from firsthand, practical, and instinctive knowledge. According to the quote, scientific reports hold the most interest when they align with what individuals already know through their own experiences, as this represents an authentic and reliable account of human experiences.