Don’t waste time learning the "tricks of the trade." Instead, learn the trade.

The aphorism contrasts superficial, short-term tactics (“tricks of the trade”) with genuine mastery (“learn the trade”). It argues that competence built on fundamentals—principles, craft knowledge, and disciplined practice—outlasts gimmicks that may work only in narrow situations or for a limited time. Implicitly, it’s also an ethical claim: relying on “tricks” can shade into manipulation or corner-cutting, whereas learning the trade emphasizes responsibility to standards and to the people affected by one’s work. The quote fits a broader tradition of professional advice that prioritizes apprenticeship, deep understanding, and transferable skill over hacks, insider shortcuts, or fashionable techniques.