Franklin describes experience as a “dear school”, meaning an expensive or costly form of education. People can learn from advice, observation and the mistakes of others, but those who ignore such guidance may understand a lesson only after suffering the consequences themselves. Experience can therefore be an effective teacher, but it often charges a high price in wasted time, money, opportunity or discomfort.

The saying does not dismiss learning through experience, which is often necessary and valuable. Its criticism is directed at refusing easier or less costly ways of learning when they are available. Franklin suggests that good judgement includes taking seriously the knowledge that others have already gained. The broader lesson is that wisdom involves not only learning from one’s own mistakes, but also recognising when evidence, advice or previous examples can prevent those mistakes from being repeated.