CHAPTER FIVE 



THE EXCELLENCE OF MISFORTUNE 



I know nothing more delightful than to meet 

 with disaster. Only then do we discover our 

 real selves. The easy-going man knows little 

 more than his own name. I do not refer to 

 battle, murder and to sudden death, as the Pray- 

 er Book has it, but the coming to grief of life's 

 minor details. Carefully laid plans, for in- 

 stance, however elaborate, if they meet with 

 no obstacles, are apt to lead to disappointment. 

 This is the lesson we should learn from the ex- 

 periences of others, but the searchlight of fore- 

 thought is not often pointed in the right direc- 

 tion. He is a truly wonderful man who does 

 not except himself from all restraining condi- 

 tions. " All men think all men mortal but them- 

 selves. ' ' 



Acquisition is just beyond our fingers' ends. 

 We must reach upward or outward, stand upon 



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