“IT is a Chazal “Vayikra Rabbah 2:1, “One thousand students enter to study Mikra…”
is NOT the same as
“It is better that 1000 fools die to obtain one genuine scholar.”
The first is saying that while everyone is trying to learn and grow, only one will become a posek. The second is saying that many will “die”.
LeMashal, the first is saying that while many climb the mountain only one will reach the top. The rest will still get somewhere. The second says one will reach the top while many of the rest will fall off.
Joey, see the difference?