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A Reading Man is full
“Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man.” ~Sir Francis Bacon
Editorial
Society Desk
by Hugh Akston
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"No problem is so complex that it can not be solved with open honest debate and the proper application of firearms."
~Hugh Akston
I find reading to be a real joy. I for one have not taken to the practice of the Kindle or e-Book readers, I find the feel of a book in hand to be a pleasure all of its own.
I do not condemn the E-book readers as it opens access to a whole library of material that would be expensive and cumbersome to carry about. However a bench in the garden, soft sunshine and a good book makes for a pleasurable afternoon.
I would encourage everyone to read. Books open up history, adventure, wisdom, and knowledge that is otherwise unavailable. I also find that no type of book stands alone. Gulliver’s Travels is a very entertaining story, one that comes to fullness IF you know something of English history and Politics of Jonathan Swift’s time. Kidnapped by Robert Stevenson is a great adventure for young boys to discover; one of the history of Scotland and England, Bonnie Prince Charles of the Highlands, and English law combined. Many tales were told with a condemnation of the Government, or the practice of law hidden within them. A wide and diverse knowledge opens the stories to the reader, in a way that no history lesson can. Dickens is the best example of contemporary history being written into a story.
Reading is not an end to itself, it opens the doors of the mind to many new ideas, conference, or discussion as we would call it today, makes use of the substance of our reading.
“Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what we read ours.” John Locke
Discussion makes us think and defend our ideas. It brings to mind and firmly sets the knowledge in our minds that we have acquired by reading. Here we are challenged to defend or abandon ideas as good or bad, to help us to develop our thoughts with clarity of mind rather than a mindless acceptance of ideas. Not everything we read will be good; we will often find material that is wrong thoughts or bad ideas. Many say we are not influenced by the television and violent video games, but we are. The Bible says to set no evil thing before your eyes, a clear warning that what we set before us will influence our actions.
Be as careful of the books you read, as of the company you keep, for your habits and character will be as much influenced by the former as the latter. Paxton Hood
Writing makes a precise man. I find that writing and organizing written material brings an order to my thoughts; a precision to my debates, and often helps me to remember things I have read in the past. Read something that is worth discussing, do something worth writing and write something worth reading. Your life will be fuller for the effort.
“Read, every day, something no one else is reading. Think, every day, something no one else is thinking. Do, every day, something no one else would be silly enough to do. It is bad for the mind to be always part of unanimity.”
Christopher Morley
I make an effort to be considered by my Granddaughters as the “Worlds silliest Grandpa!” My efforts are often rewarded by a smile or laughter of not only my family but by the many strangers who observe my actions.
I work in broadcast television as an engineer and I find that I agree with Groucho Marx on the educational value of modern-day television; although today I would include most movies and other electronic forms of entertainment also.
I must say that I find television very educational. The minute somebody turns it on, I go to the library and read a book. Groucho Marx
God Bless.
Just my thoughts for today.
From Hugh Akston...
"As a long time member of The National Forensic League, Toastmasters International, the Boys and Girl Scouts, I believe that an open civil discussion of all subjects is appropriate. As a retired First Sergeant of the United States Army, a leader in both civic and service organizations in my community I know there is a time to stop talking and take action. Wisdom guides us in to which is appropriate at any time. As a Christian I am concerned about the impact our society has on politics and our politics has on society. I am not concerned about the Political party of a person but their moral values, sense of duty and their personal honor"
Coming Soon!
More Editorials
by Hugh Akston
