"George said"
Posted: Wed 15 May 2013 8:26 pm
George said:
“We are on the wrong track. We must not think of the things we could do with but only those we can’t do without.
George comes out really quite sensible at times. I call that wisdom not merely in the present case but the trip up the river of life generally, How many people load the boat until it is in danger of swamping with foolish things which they think essential
How they pile the poor craft with fine clothes and big houses, with swell friends, with expensive entertainments and formalities and fashions pretence and ostentation, . Luxuries that only cloy pleasures that bore, empty show that makes the head ache.
Lumber – throw it overboard. It makes the boat too heavy and dangerous to manage so you never know a moment’s freedom from anxiety and care. Never a rest for dreamy laziness – to watch the windy shadow skimming over he shallows, or the glittering sunbeams, or the great trees on the margin………………….
Throw the lumber over. Let your boat of life be light, packed with only what you need – a homely home and simple pleasures, one or two friends, a cat, a dog*, and a pipe or two.
Enough to eat and enough to wear, and a little more than enough to drink – for thirst is a dangerous thing
Extract from "Three Men in a Boat" by Jerome K. Jerome
“We are on the wrong track. We must not think of the things we could do with but only those we can’t do without.
George comes out really quite sensible at times. I call that wisdom not merely in the present case but the trip up the river of life generally, How many people load the boat until it is in danger of swamping with foolish things which they think essential
How they pile the poor craft with fine clothes and big houses, with swell friends, with expensive entertainments and formalities and fashions pretence and ostentation, . Luxuries that only cloy pleasures that bore, empty show that makes the head ache.
Lumber – throw it overboard. It makes the boat too heavy and dangerous to manage so you never know a moment’s freedom from anxiety and care. Never a rest for dreamy laziness – to watch the windy shadow skimming over he shallows, or the glittering sunbeams, or the great trees on the margin………………….
Throw the lumber over. Let your boat of life be light, packed with only what you need – a homely home and simple pleasures, one or two friends, a cat, a dog*, and a pipe or two.
Enough to eat and enough to wear, and a little more than enough to drink – for thirst is a dangerous thing
Extract from "Three Men in a Boat" by Jerome K. Jerome