Page:The Richest Man In Babylon (1930).pdf/21

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One may sail the seven seas.

which there is delight for the senses and gratification for the soul.

And when I realized all this I declared to myself that I would claim my share of the good things of life. I would not be one of those who stand afar off, enviously watching others enjoy. I would not be content to clothe myself in the cheapest raiment that looked respectable. I would not be satisfied with the lot of a poor man. On the contrary, I would make myself a guest at this banquet of good things.

Being, as you know, the son of an humble merchant, one of a large family with no hope of an inheritance, and not being endowed, as you have so frankly said, with superior power or wisdom, I decided that if I was to achieve what I desired, time and study would be required.

As for time, all men have it in abundance. You, each of you, have let slip by sufficient to have made yourselves wealthy. Yet, you admit you have nothing to show except your good families, of which you can be justly proud.

As for study, did not our wise master teach us that learning was of two kinds, the one kind being the things

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