No man knows better what good is than he that has an endured evil.

Understand the thought

Meaning in plain English

An unwelcome experience can sharpen appreciation of something better. The proverb describes learning through contrast, without making suffering necessary for understanding or giving those who have suffered an automatic authority over everyone else.

What the words are saying

The person who has endured evil compares a better condition with a difficulty they know directly. Here evil can be read broadly as something harmful or unwelcome, rather than requiring a judgement about a person’s character. The experience may make a previously ordinary benefit more noticeable: fairness, welcome or dependable treatment. But the phrase no man knows better overstates the case. People can learn from others without undergoing the same harm, and experience does not settle every question. The useful point is that contrast can inform appreciation. It is not a reason to create hardship, dismiss another person’s understanding or call harm beneficial in itself.

Everyday example

A visitor who previously struggled with confusing event directions appreciates a new venue’s clear signs and explains which details made the difference.

When to use it

Use it when a person’s experience of a difficulty helps explain their appreciation of a better arrangement.

Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.