Why does Naval emphasize 'knowledge should be put into practice'?

Sure, let’s talk about this topic.

When Naval says "knowledge should be made practical," it's essentially saying: Don't be "all talk and no action" – someone who dreams big but acts small

Hi friend. That's an excellent question, because it hits right at the heart of the struggle many of us face in learning and growth.

Imagine this: You want to learn to drive. You memorize the driver's manual cover to cover, watch hundreds of instructional videos, and could even describe the engine structure blindfolded. But if I hand you the keys right now and tell you to hit the road, would you dare?

Probably not. Because you know that truly "knowing how to drive" isn't about "knowing theories," it's about "doing the act."

Naval's emphasis on making "knowledge practical" perfectly mirrors this idea. He's not an academic theorist. He's a top-tier investor and entrepreneur; all his wisdom was forged in the high-stakes world of real business. So he values "what actually works" over "what merely sounds logical."

Here are a few more everyday analogies to help grasp why he prioritizes "practice" so heavily:

1. From "Knowing Recipes" to "Knowing How to Cook"

Unpracticed Knowledge: Like collecting 1,000 Michelin-star chef recipes. You know how to prepare lobster, how long to sear a steak, how to make sauces. Friends think you're a food theory expert.
Practical Knowledge: Is you stepping into the kitchen, picking up a spatula. Even if you scorch the veggies on the first try, or oversalt the second dish. Through constant trial and error, you finally whip up a flavorful, well-plated home-cooked meal.

Naval believes the latter is far more valuable. Because only through practice do you encounter the nuances recipes never mention: Exactly how high is "medium-high heat"? How do you judge oil temperature? How does this pan react differently? This "intuitive feel," gained from failure and adjustment, is the real knowledge that becomes uniquely yours and can't be taken away.

2. Knowledge is a "Tool," not a "Collectible"

Unpracticed Knowledge: Is like a collector displaying shiny hammers, wrenches, and screwdrivers in a glass cabinet. They look impressive, but can't even hang a nail on the wall.
Practical Knowledge: Is like a carpenter. They might have only a few simple, plain tools. But they use those tools to build a chair, craft a table—solving real problems and creating tangible value.

Naval's core idea about creating wealth is "providing society with something it wants but doesn't yet have access to." Theoretical knowledge alone can't provide anything. Only when you apply knowledge – like programming, design, writing, marketing – to build an app, design a poster, or write an impactful article, does knowledge transform from a "cost" (the time spent learning) into an "asset" (something that generates returns).

3. Practice is the Best "Filter" and "Accelerator"

We live in an age of information overload. New concepts and methodologies bombard us daily. Which ones hold true wisdom, and which are nonsense?

Unpracticed Knowledge: You risk getting stuck in an endless loop of "input." You hear one expert talk about "deliberate practice," and read another book touting "going with the flow." You bookmark countless methods, but never use them, so you never know what actually works for you.
Practical Knowledge: Practice is the ultimate litmus test. Learn a time management technique? Test it rigorously for a week. See an investment strategy? Simulate it with a small amount of capital. The real world gives the most honest feedback. This process quickly filters out what doesn’t suit you and deeply internalizes what does, accelerating your growth far beyond those who just consume information.

So, what does this mean for us ordinary folks?

Naval isn't saying reading is useless. He himself is an avid reader. What he emphasizes is: The learning cycle is "Learn → Do → Reflect → Teach."

Apply Immediately After Learning: Don't wait for the "perfect moment." The moment you learn something new, however small, find a way to use it instantly in life or work. Want to learn writing? Start by crafting a thoughtful social media post. Want to learn personal finance? Start by tracking your expenses.
Start a Micro-Project: This is practice in its ultimate form. Want to learn video editing? Don't just watch tutorials; make a short clip of your pet. Want to start a business? Don't just draft business plans; build the simplest product prototype and see if anyone wants to use it.
Teach Your Knowledge to Someone: This, too, is practice. Having to explain something clearly forces you to reorganize, clarify, and connect the fuzzy, fragmented bits of information in your mind. This process significantly deepens your mastery.

Ultimately, Naval wants us to avoid becoming "knowledge hoarders." Because unpracticed knowledge is like cash hidden under the mattress: it not only fails to grow but can actually depreciate over time (knowledge becomes obsolete).

Don't let your brain be just a storage drive for information. Make it a central processing unit that creates. That's what Naval is telling us.