The Life of Benjamin Franklin, Illustrated by Tales, Sketches, and AnecdotesGoodrich, Samuel G. (Samuel Griswold)
History
The Life of Benjamin Franklin, Illustrated by Tales, Sketches, and Anecdotes
Goodrich, Samuel G. (Samuel Griswold)
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790; Statesmen -- United States -- Biography
I. _Foresight_, which looks a little into futurity, considers the
consequences that may attend an action: for it is continually
occurring to the player, "If I move this piece, what will be the
advantage of my new situation? What use can my adversary make of it to
annoy me? What other moves can I make to support it, and to defend
myself from his attacks?"
II. _Circumspection_, which surveys the whole chessboard, or scene
of action, the relations of the several pieces and situation, the
dangers they are respectively exposed to, the several possibilities
of their aiding each other, the probabilities that the adversary may
take this or that move, and attack this or the other piece, and what
different means can be used to avoid his stroke, or turn its
consequences against him.
III. _Caution_, not to make your moves too hastily. This habit is
best acquired by observing strictly the laws of the game, such as, "If
you touch a piece, you must move it somewhere; if you set it down, you
must let it stand:" and it is therefore best that these rules should
be observed; as the game thereby becomes more the image of human life,
and particularly of war: in which, if you have incautiously put
yourself into a bad and dangerous position, you cannot obtain your
enemy's leave to withdraw your troops, and place them more securely,
but you must abide all the consequences of your rashness.
And, lastly, we learn by chess the habit of _not being discouraged by
present bad appearances in the state of our affairs_, the habit of
_hoping for a favorable change_, and that of _persevering in the
search of resources_. The game is so full of events, there is such a
variety of turns in it, the fortune of it is so subject to sudden
vicissitudes, and one so frequently, after long contemplation,
discovers the means of extricating one's self from a supposed
insurmountable difficulty, that one is encouraged to continue the
contest to the last, in hope of victory by our own skill, or at least
of giving a stale mate, by the negligence of our adversary. And
whoever considers, what in chess he often sees instances of,--that
particular pieces of success are apt to produce presumption, and its
consequent inattention, by which the loss may be recovered,--will
learn not to be too much discouraged by the present success of his
adversary, nor to despair of final good fortune, upon every little
check he receives in the pursuit of it.
That we may, therefore, be induced more frequently to choose this
beneficial amusement, in preference to others, which are not attended
with the same advantages, every circumstance which may increase the
pleasure of it should be regarded; and every action or word that is
unfair, disrespectful, or that in any way may give uneasiness, should
be avoided, as contrary to the immediate intention of both the
players, which is to pass the time agreeably.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account