The Learning Suffer
October 25, 2025•187 words
I just read an article about a brilliant young man in his late teens, trying to extract some wisdom from a professional educator.
The seasoned teacher had been interrogating the young man and had asked many questions, for which the gifted teen had no answers.
Dumbfounded and clearly exasperated, he asked his elderly inquisitor,
“What am I supposed to do? How can I learn all that?”
The unexpected answer came back.
“Suffer.”
“Suffer a while in your learning. All day and into the night.”
He went on to challenge the young prodigy to read the classics, history, philosophy, and more. And above all, study scripture.
I’ve never thought about learning that way. To suffer for it. I’ve always enjoyed it. But there is a big difference in casually approaching something, and joining the elites in that realm.
This I understand.
Suffering is the road to excellence.
That same young man would go on to finish 30+ online college courses. If I mentioned his name, most people would instantly recognize it.
He did suffer in his learning. And he had the receipts to prove it.
23/100