He who can, does; he who cannot, teaches

Definitions

• discourage someone
  Advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit

• belittle the role of teachers
  Imply that those who are not successful in a particular field end up teaching it instead, suggesting that teaching is a lesser profession

Examples of He who can, does; he who cannot, teaches

• Many successful entrepreneurs, such as Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, exemplify the idiom "He who can, does; he who cannot, teaches." They were all successful in starting and running their own businesses, rather than settling for a job as a teacher.

  This idiom suggests that people who have the ability and skills to accomplish something will do it, rather than settling for a job where they can merely teach others how to do it. This idiom highlights the admiration and respect for those who can take action and produce results, rather than placing others in a position to instruct or explain things.

• In the world of sports, the best players often choose to focus on playing the game rather than coaching others. For instance, basketball legend Magic Johnson retired from playing in 1996 but later became an entrepreneur and business executive, rather than becoming a coach or teacher in the sport.

  This example illustrates that those who have achieved greatness in sports or other fields often prefer to continue doing what they do best, rather than teaching others how to do it. It suggests that coaches and teachers are often less experienced or accomplished in the field than those who can do it themselves.

• In healthcare, some doctors may choose to focus on their own practice rather than become professors or lecturers in medical schools. For example, renowned heart surgeon Carson Dunlop retired from full-time practice in 1993, but continued to operate on heart patients throughout the world, rather than teaching or training new doctors in medical schools.

  This example demonstrates that those who are experts in their field may choose to continue practicing their craft, rather than passing on their knowledge to others. It suggests that those who can deliver results in their field may not choose to become teachers or coaches because they prefer the satisfaction of doing the actual work themselves. In all these examples, the idiom "He who can, does; he who cannot, teaches" emphasizes the respect and admiration for people who excel in their field and choose to focus on doing the work themselves, rather than teaching or coaching others. It highlights the importance of action, results, and achievement over knowledge or instruction.

• Jane has always been fascinated with the inner workings of machines. After completing her engineering degree, she landed a job at a high-tech company, where she spends her days designing innovative products. She is living proof that "he who can, does."

  Jane's ability to understand and create complex machines demonstrates her capability to "do" what she is skilled at. This idiom suggests that those who have the capability to perform a task will often choose to do so, as opposed to people who lack that ability, who may choose to teach or explain how to perform that task.

• When John was in college, he struggled to keep up with the rigorous coursework in his major. After graduation, he decided to become a teacher and now spends his days sharing his knowledge with his students. In a way, he's a living example of the saying, "he who cannot, teaches."

  John's difficulty in completing his own coursework may have led to his decision to become a teacher. This idiom suggests that those who are not successful at performing a task themselves may choose to teach it to others, which can be a way to share their knowledge and provide guidance to others.

• Grace has always been passionate about marketing and has worked her way up the corporate ladder to a leadership role in a prominent marketing firm. She's living proof that "he who can, does," and her success is a testament to her skills and hard work.

  Grace's ability to excel in her career and rise through the ranks in her company demonstrates her capability to "do" what she is skilled at. The idiom suggests that those who have the capability to complete a task will often choose to do so, rather than teaching or explaining how to perform that task. In other words, people who are skilled and can perform a task themselves are more likely to take action and do it, rather than teaching others how to do it.

• After retiring from his successful career as a software engineer, Mark decided to give back to the community by volunteering as a programming teacher at a local school. In a way, he's an example of the saying, "he who cannot, teaches," as he is sharing his knowledge and experience with others.

  Mark's decision to volunteer as a programming teacher at a local school demonstrates his willingness to share his knowledge and experience with others. This idiom suggests that those who are not successful at performing a task themselves may choose to teach it to others, which can be a way to give back to the community and share their expertise. In other words, the idiom suggests that people who lack the capability to "do" a task themselves may choose to teach that task to others, rather than attempting to perform it themselves.

Conclusion

The idiom "He who can, does; he who cannot, teaches" is often used to discourage someone from pursuing a certain task or activity by implying that only those who are not capable of success end up teaching. It can also be used to belittle the role of teachers by suggesting that they are not successful in their field and have resorted to teaching as a lesser profession.

Origin of "He who can, does; he who cannot, teaches"

The origin of this idiom can be traced back to George Bernard Shaw's play "Man and Superman" which was first performed in 1903. The character Ann Whitefield says the line "He who can, does; he who cannot, teaches" as a sarcastic remark about her suitor, a professor of Greek. Shaw's intention was to challenge the stereotype that those who cannot succeed in their field end up teaching, and to highlight the value and importance of education and teaching. Despite its negative connotations, the idiom has become widely used in English language to express disdain for teaching and to discourage others from pursuing certain activities.