If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.
What's the meaning of this quote?
Quote Meaning: This quote emphasizes the importance of clarity and simplicity in conveying knowledge. It suggests that true understanding of a concept or idea is reflected in our ability to explain it in simple terms. If we are unable to explain something in a way that is easy to understand, it may indicate that our understanding of it is not deep enough. It underscores the value of truly comprehending a subject matter before attempting to explain or teach it to others. It encourages us to strive for a clear and concise understanding of the things we seek to learn or communicate, and to continually deepen our knowledge to be able to explain it in simple terms.
Who said the quote?
The quote "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." was said by Albert Einstein (Bio / Quotes). Albert Einstein was a German physicist and Nobel Prize winner who is widely regarded as one of the most influential scientists in history.
What's the quote's message?
The quote underscores the profound relationship between understanding and communication. It suggests that the hallmark of truly understanding a concept, idea, or principle is your capacity to distill it into its most basic, accessible form. If we cannot explain something simply, it suggests our comprehension may be mired in complexity, abstraction, or ambiguity. Simplifying doesn't mean dumbing down; it requires us to dig deeper, discern the essential elements, and translate them into a language that is universally comprehensible. This quote isn't just about pedagogy or sharing knowledge; it's a personal challenge. It's a call to perfect our own understanding, to dissect, interrogate and break down our knowledge until it's refined and can be explained clearly, simply, and effectively. It also underlines the importance of empathy and patience in teaching and communication, asking us to put ourselves in the shoes of our audience and make sure they can follow our explanation without feeling overwhelmed or confused.
Is there a historical example that illustrates the message of the quote?
One historical example that fits this quote is Albert Einstein's development of the theory of relativity.
Einstein’s theory of relativity, particularly the aspect of it known as special relativity, is a complex idea that fundamentally changed our understanding of physics. It includes concepts such as the speed of light being a constant in all inertial frames of reference and time dilation, which are not at all intuitive. Yet, Einstein had a deep and complete understanding of these principles.
The story goes that he was often asked to explain his theory, and he would use simple analogies to do so. One of his most famous is the "train" thought experiment. He described a person standing on a train platform watching a fast train pass by. If a bolt of lightning strikes both ends of the train at the same time, the observer on the platform will see the lightning strikes at different times because of the speed of the train, but the observer on the train, moving with it, will see the strikes simultaneously.
In this way, Einstein demonstrated the principle of relativity: that simultaneity is relative to the observer's state of motion. His ability to explain such a complex idea with a simple analogy shows that he understood it well enough to break it down into terms that anyone could understand.
This story illustrates the wisdom of the quote "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." Einstein’s ability to simplify the concept of relativity demonstrates his profound understanding of it.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
