(P)William...
Illustration
(P)
William Inge asks this question: "What are the most precious gifts for which an old man, looking back on his life, ought to thank God?" He then mentions some of the values that men have cherished. The Greeks put health first, but since he had known many men and women who had triumphantly overcome this handicap, he could not rank health as the best thing in life. Recognition and encouragement are valued by many people. Most people need them, although a few proud and heroic natures can do without them. Finally Inge says: "But I have not the slightest doubt that domestic happiness is the greatest of all good gifts, next to that of 'wisdom,' for which Solomon prayed, and which I suppose, may be defined as 'a right judgment of the relative value of things.' " Boswell once remarked to Dr. Johnson that he thought admiration was one of the most agreeable of human feelings and that he regretted he had lost much of his ability to admire others, an attitude which "people generally do as they advance in life." Dr. Johnson replied, "Sir, as a man advances in life, he gets what is better than admiration. He gets judgment -- to estimate things at their true value." (Inter. Bible)
-- Anton
William Inge asks this question: "What are the most precious gifts for which an old man, looking back on his life, ought to thank God?" He then mentions some of the values that men have cherished. The Greeks put health first, but since he had known many men and women who had triumphantly overcome this handicap, he could not rank health as the best thing in life. Recognition and encouragement are valued by many people. Most people need them, although a few proud and heroic natures can do without them. Finally Inge says: "But I have not the slightest doubt that domestic happiness is the greatest of all good gifts, next to that of 'wisdom,' for which Solomon prayed, and which I suppose, may be defined as 'a right judgment of the relative value of things.' " Boswell once remarked to Dr. Johnson that he thought admiration was one of the most agreeable of human feelings and that he regretted he had lost much of his ability to admire others, an attitude which "people generally do as they advance in life." Dr. Johnson replied, "Sir, as a man advances in life, he gets what is better than admiration. He gets judgment -- to estimate things at their true value." (Inter. Bible)
-- Anton
