GREATLY begin! though thou have time But for a line, be that sublime— Not Failure, but low aim, is crime! . . We are not poorer that we wept and yearned; Though earth swing wide from GOD’S intent, And though no man nor nation Will move with full consent In heavenly gravitation,— Yet by one Sun is every orbit bent! -Lowell in The Cloud of … Continue reading July 22, 2019. Time, but for a line
“Such is the story of Sir Gawaine, and from it I draw this significance: as that poor ugly beldame appeared unto the eyes of Sir Gawaine, so doth a man’s duty sometimes appear to him to be ugly and exceedingly-ill-favored unto his desires. But when he shall have wedded himself unto that duty so that he hath made it one with him as a bridegroom … Continue reading June 26, 2019. Ugly duty.
“At the foundry I started…by laying the sand in the molds. I was taught that in laying the sand I must never make a mistake. There was never any pressure for me to hurry, but I must never make a mistake. In those days a craftsman took a real pride in his work. – George E. Johnson in The Nebraskan by George E. Johnson II … Continue reading May 15, 2019. No hurry, no mistakes.
“ On the subject of the history of the American revolution, you ask Who shall write it? who can write it? and who ever will be able to write it? nobody; except merely it’s external facts. all it’s councils, designs and discussions, having been conducted by Congress with closed doors, and no member, as far as I know, having even made notes of them. these, which … Continue reading March 29, 2019. Who can write it? nobody.
“Boys, be ambitious. Be ambitious not for money, not for selfish aggrandizement, not for the evanescent thing which men call fame. Be ambitious for the attainment of all that a man can be.” – William Clark Continue reading March 2, 2019. Be Ambitious for.
“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” – William Arthur Ward Continue reading February 19, 2019. Pessimist, Optimist, Realist.
Painter John E. Millais’ encouragement to Beatrix Potter—“He gave me the kindest encouragement with my drawings… ‘ Plenty of people can draw, but you and my son John have observation.’” – taken from Beatrix Potter, A Life in Nature by Linda Lear p 45. Continue reading February 2, 2019. You have Observation.
“I was convinced they would attempt to rob us in which case be their numbers what they would I should resist to the last extremity preferring death to that of being deprived of my papers instruments and gun. . . .” – Meriwether Lewis July 26, 1806, The Journals of Lewis and Clark, Edited by B. DeVoto. Continue reading January 14, 2019. Don’t Take My Papers!
