Letter 252 Nov 29 1981
Dear A & H; L & E; Meg; Bob & Adam; Fred; Kathy; Ellen; David; Daniel, EXTRACTS FROM MY NOTEBOOK #39 cont. 27.
GENIUS has been defined in many ways. A popular definition is that the genius has “the capacity for taking pains”. Now that may be a NECESSARY condition but it is not a SUFFICIENT condition. I mean by that, that while it is true, capacity for taking pains is important (in fact if he won’t, he will never become the genius), it is not SUFFICIENT. The mere “capacity for taking pains” does not make him a genius.
28.
COURSE IN LOGIC should be taken by the man who wants to study law, any science, legislator, intelligent voter, the judge and also the merchant. A skill in the application of LOGIC should help these people considerably in their work and in their reasoning.
29.
POLITICAL SPEECHES DISCOUNTING COMMITTEE After every election (especially a Presidential one) a committee (formed by the winning party) should carefully go over the promises and speeches to “cool them down” by applying a “discount factor” on each such promise. Decide on the final revised versions and set these up as your program for the period until next election.
30.
EVIL IN THE WORLD – EVIL AMONG NATIONS Why be amazed? The nations to a great extent came into being after periods of much evil and bloodshed. History will bear that out. Consequently we cannot and should not expect a miraculous noncompetitive relationship existing even among the friendliest.
Affectionately, Daddy / Papa
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