Poverty is uncomfortable; but nine times out of ten the best thing that can happen to a young man is to be tossed overboard and compelled to sink or swim.
Interpretation
Facing challenges, like poverty, can lead to personal growth and strength.
Garfield's quote suggests that while poverty is indeed a difficult and uncomfortable situation, it often forces individuals to confront their limitations and develop resilience. The metaphor of being 'tossed overboard' implies that sometimes being pushed out of one's comfort zone can lead to significant personal growth, as it compels one to adapt and thrive, much like learning to swim in deep waters. Such experiences can ultimately shape a person's character and abilities.
In practice
This quote can inspire young adults facing financial hardships to embrace their situation as a chance to grow.
Statistical science is indispensable to modern statesmanship. In legislation as in physical science it is beginning to be understood that we can control terrestrial forces only by obeying their laws. The legislator must formulate in his statutes not only the national will, but also those great laws of social life revealed by statistics.
I am trying to do two things: dare to be a radical and not a fool, which is a matter of no small difficulty.
Justice and goodwill will outlast passion.
Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption.
If the power to do hard work is not a skill, it's the best possible substitute for it.
Next in importance to freedom and justice is popular education, without which neither freedom nor justice can be permanently maintained.
Like a tongue on frozen steel, like flesh in flame β
Don't be concerned about others not appreciating you. Be concerned about your not appreciating others.
When you clench your fist, no one can put anything in your hand.
Some fleeting good, that mocks me with the view.
He who lives without folly isn't so wise as he thinks.
On matters beyond his ken a gentleman speaks with caution. If names are not right, words are misused. When words are misused, affairs go wrong. When affairs go wrong, courtesy and music droop, law and justice fail. And when law and justice fail them, a people can move neither hand nor foot. So a gentleman must be ready to put names in speech, to put words into deeds. A gentleman is nowise careless of words.
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