Experience is the best teacher. I’ve been hearing this for several times and I do believe on it. And now, again it is proven! Based from the story of Leonardo Fibonacci, he was able to write his books because of his travels recognizing the enormous advantages of the mathematical systems used in the countries he visited.

His biography is an eye-opener to us students. That learning is not only confined in the classroom teachings. There are more avenues of learning like traveling, experimenting or dissecting by ourselves in order to have a deeper knowledge in what we read, we heard and we saw. That’s what Fibonicci did. He puts into practice what he learned. The various mathematical systems used in the countries they have traveled with his father honed his mathematical skills and made him authoritarian on them. These mathematical principles he learned were translated to a simple and practical solutions to problems of merchants like calculation of profits on transactions, conversion of various currencies and practical informations for surveyors. More importantly, he did not keep to himself his knowledge. He imparted them to other people, he wrote them and have them published. Some of his books like Liber Abbaci, Practica Geometriae,, Flos and Liber Quadratorum served as important references of students, professors, businessmen and other professionals.

He was truly successful in life. You can consider yourself successful in life if you were able to render service to others. That we are living not only for ourselves. If we do good to others, it will be finally rewarded. Just like Fibonicci, the Republic of Pisa gave him a salary in recognition for the services he had rendered on matters of accounting and teaching its citizens. I’m sure, what is more rewarding is not the monetary consideration but the respect and recognition that was given to him.

As an Atenean, I can see an analogy on Jesuit education to what Fabonicci did. He went out of the classroom to seek the truth and enrich his knowledge. Eventually, he became a “Man for Others”. Well, a very Atenean way of life! Do you agree?