Henry Ward Beecher used to tell this story of how he was taught when a boy to depend on himself. “I was sent to the blackboard, and went, uncertain, full of whimpering. “‘That lesson must be learned,’ said my teacher in a quiet tone, but with terrible intensity. All explanations and excuses he trod under foot with utter scornfulness. ‘I want that problem; I don’t want any reason why you haven’t it,’ he would say. ”I did study two hours.’ “‘That’s nothing to me; I want the lesson. You need not study it at all, or you may study it ten hours, just to suit yourself. I want the lesson.’ “It was tough for a green boy, but it seasoned me. In less than a month, I had the most intense sense of intellectual independence and courage to defend my recitations. “One day his cold, calm voice fell upon me in the midst of a demonstration, ‘No.’ “I hesitated, and then went back to the beginning; and, on reaching the same point again, ‘No!’ uttered in atone of conviction, barred my progress. “‘The next!’ And I sat down in red confusion. “He, too, was stopped with ‘No!’ but went right on, finished, and, as he sat down, was rewarded with ‘Very well.’ “‘Why,’ whimpered I, ‘I recited it just as he did, and you said “No!’” “‘Why didn’t you say “Yes,” and stick to it? It is not enough to know your lesson; you must know that you know it. You have learned nothing until you are sure. If all the world says “No,” your business is to say “Yes,” and prove it.’”
Posted on: Sun, 14 Jul 2013 05:01:56 +0000
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