This quote suggests that it is unproductive to memorize things that we can easily access. In essence, it’s a waste of mental effort and capacity to store information that we can readily obtain from external sources. Instead, we should use our minds for higher-level thinking, such as processing, analyzing, and applying information.

In the context of today’s world, this quote is even more relevant due to the vast amount of information available at our fingertips through the internet. There’s no need to memorize facts, figures, or data that can be quickly searched online. Instead, our efforts should be directed towards understanding concepts, developing critical thinking skills, and fostering creativity.

In terms of personal development, this idea encourages us to be more efficient with our learning and cognitive resources. Instead of focusing on rote memorization, we should strive for comprehension and the ability to use information in new and innovative ways. We should also cultivate skills like problem-solving, decision-making, and emotional intelligence, which cannot be simply looked up online.

The quote also implies the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in a rapidly changing world. Memorized knowledge may become outdated, but the ability to seek out and utilize current information is always valuable.

So, instead of striving to be a human encyclopedia, one should aim to be a skilled navigator of the vast sea of information that exists in our modern world. That’s a more effective and valuable use of our mental capacity.