Note 55 — THE WORKS AND DAYS.
George Chapman translation
The fool by suffering his experience buys.] Παυων δε τε νηπιος εγνω. This seems to have been a national proverb. Homer has a similar apophthegm: Il. 17. 33.
μηδ’ αντιος ισταθ’ εμειο Πριν τι κακον παθεειν· ρεχθεν δε τε νηπιος εγνω. Confront me not, lest some sore evil rise: The fool must rue the act that makes him wise.
Plato uses the same proverbial sentiment:
Ευλαβηθῆναι και μη, κατα την παροιμιαν, ωσπερ νηπιον παθονται γνωναι.
Beware lest, after the proverb, you get knowledge like the fool, by suffering.