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aussiebear
11-30-2007, 09:14 AM
A friend passed me this book called "The Magic Story".

I'm reading through it, and I run into a paragraph where I'm not too sure on the meaning. :confused: (I'm fine with the rest of the book, its just this part that has me a little baffled).

Here is the quote and the related context.


My father, then, was a seafaring man who, early in life, forsook his vocation, and settled on a plantation in the colony of Virginia, where, some years thereafter, I was born, which event took place in the year 1642; and that was over a hundred years ago. Better for my father had it been, had he hearkened to the wise advice of my mother, that he remain in the calling of his education; but he would not have it so, and the good vessel he captained was bartered for the land I spoke of. Here beginneth the first lesson to be acquired:

Man should not be blinded to whatsoever merit exists in the opportunity which he hath in hand, remembering that a thousand promises for the future should weigh as naught against the possession of a single piece of silver.

How would you interpret this?

novelsryou
11-30-2007, 10:09 AM
Live in the moment...follow your heart

hellsapoppin
11-30-2007, 10:10 AM
I never read that famous classic (much to my shame!) but believe the statement is a variation of the famous carpe diem or seize the day!

This means, take advantage of the good around you TODAY. Live life to the fullest, NOW. And every other good thing that you want will follow.:thumbs_up

PeterL
11-30-2007, 11:18 AM
A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.

puffin
11-30-2007, 12:38 PM
I’m in the 'bird in the hand 'camp.

I’m assuming that the plantation wasn't the success he had hoped/assumed it would be when he sold his boat.

Interesting few paragraphs, is the book good? Who wrote it?

aussiebear
11-30-2007, 05:58 PM
Thanks folks. I guess there's two interpretations to it...And how you interpret them is based on your life experiences or background.


Interesting few paragraphs, is the book good? Who wrote it?

The book is in two parts.

* Part 1 was how the person found the book. This is by Frederick Van Rensselaer Day. They got the book published in the 1900s.

* Part 2 is the actual story. No one knows for sure who wrote it. Its written sometime in the 17th century.

I like it, as compared to today's self-help "how to succeed!" books. Its short enough, and straight to the point in getting the message across. (assuming you can get past the way its written. It may take a little longer for folks like me, where English is a 2nd language). There isn't huge amounts of "gap filler" to sell you ideas, or subscriptions and other nonsense. Its a single story with 6 simple lessons.

Although I got the physical book, it is also available online.

The Magic Story - Part 1
http://www.knight-writer.co.uk/The%20Magic%20Story.htm

The Magic Story - Part 2
http://www.knight-writer.co.uk/The%20Magic%20Story%20Part%202.htm

I guess such a story should be shared with the world. :)