“Education begins the gentleman, but reading, good company and reflection must finish him”

Simplified Meaning:

Getting an education helps us start to become refined and well-mannered, like a gentleman. However, it's not enough on its own. To truly cultivate and complete this polish, one needs to continue learning through reading books, spending time with good people, and thinking deeply about what they learn and experience. Imagine someone who finishes school with good grades; they have the basics. But if they only rely on what they learned in school, they won't grow much further. By reading different books, they gain more knowledge and new viewpoints. By hanging out with positive and interesting people, they learn good manners, empathy, and new ideas. By reflecting on what they’ve seen, read, and experienced, they understand themselves better and improve their judgment. For instance, becoming a good cook doesn’t end with just taking a cooking class. You need to try new recipes, learn from other chefs, and think about how to make your dishes better. So, apply this to life: keep learning, build relationships with wise and kind people, and take time to reflect and grow from experiences. That’s how you can truly become a well-rounded and thoughtful person.