Роздуми

           Weexpelthepowerofbreathingwedrewinatbirth(justyesterdayorthedaybefore),breathingitoutliketheairweexhaleateachmoment.

           16.Whatisitinourselvesthatweshouldprize?

           Notjusttranspiration(evenplantsdothat).

           Orrespiration(evenbeastsandwildanimalsbreathe).

           Orbeingstruckbypassingthoughts.

           Orjerkedlikeapuppetbyyourownimpulses.

           Ormovinginherds.

           Oreating,andrelievingyourselfafterwards.

           Thenwhatistobeprized?

           Anaudienceclapping?No.Nomorethantheclackingoftheirtongues.Whichisallthatpublicpraiseamountsto—aclackingoftongues.

           Sowethrowoutotherpeople’srecognition.What’sleftforustoprize?

           Ithinkit’sthis:todo(andnotdo)whatweweredesignedfor.That’sthegoalofalltrades,allarts,andwhateachofthemaimsat:thatthethingtheycreateshoulddowhatitwasdesignedtodo.Thenurserymanwhocaresforthevines,thehorsetrainer,thedogbreeder—thisiswhattheyaimat.Andteachingandeducation—whatelsearetheytryingtoaccomplish?

           Sothat’swhatweshouldprize.Holdontothat,andyouwon’tbetemptedtoaimatanythingelse.

           Andifyoucan’tstopprizingalotofotherthings?Thenyou’llneverbefree—free,independent,imperturbable.