For such as him, no doubt, was composed Kipling’s wonderfully cynical line, “alas, we know he never could know and never could understand.” And also for such as him it was ordained that he should never stay in one place long. Something tells him to keep moving--perhaps the giggling that breaks out in the midst of a lofty peroration; a snort of derision at some observation intended to be philosophical but which fell far short of the mark. While it doesn’t take long to pack up and locate elsewhere, it must be tedious work to have continually the task on hand of making new friends--_only to lose them_. But that is the penalty of becoming the butt of the jokester, who will not be denied. Once he finds a victim it’s time for that victim to move. The jokester has no pity, and in lofty speech he tells his victim so--accompanied by shouts of approval from those who hear and understand. [Illustration: “What ho!” says the King. “Ho hum!” replied his guest.] The ego of ignorance which stands by its false assumptions from sheer lack of correct understanding invites pity that it seldom receives. In due course of human events the distributor of half-baked wisdom will be grafted with a twig from the tree of learning and thus the species will become extinct. This, as Shakespeare says, “is devoutly to be wished,” and while wishing it seems perfectly all right to express the hope that those who read this short chapter will make a point of sowing a few seeds in certain gardens where tall weeds now grow, “just for the lack of the rake and the hoe.” A little sarcasm will turn the trick. [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] CHAPTER VII HARNESSING THE BRAIN To make life truly worth while one would, if possible, follow his natural bent, having trained himself accordingly, otherwise no matter how successful he might become in _a material sense_, regrets would be inevitable and likely to lead to a _surly old age_. It is a vast mistake to believe that the possession of great wealth insures happiness--and _without happiness_ whose life is worth while? The makings of many a good butcher, baker, or candlestick-maker have gone to waste when a youngster walked through the _wrong doorway_ in search of his _first job_. That is the initial lottery ticket we buy--and sometimes pay for most dearly. The situation is better now than heretofore, particularly if the youngster has, on starting out, the advantage of at least a high school education. To that extent he has a _trained mind_. If he could have gone on through _college or technical school_ his success would be practically assured. To get through would mean that he had acquired proper _mental balance_. Nevertheless, the great majority still go forth into the world of affairs with small educational equipment, just when their minds are least prepared, which accounts for the old saying--“_a little knowledge is a dangerous thing_.”