Page:Philosophy and Fun of Algebra.djvu/49

HOW TO CHOOSE OUR HYPOTHESIS instincts are on the alert; therefore, conscious precaution should supplement instinct at such times, until self-protection has become so fixed by habit as to become in its turn automatic and instinctive.

If you observe these precautions you need not fear using your imagination freely. When you hear of some brilliant imaginative writer who has come to grief physically, mentally, or morally, after a short and brilliant career, you will find it advantageous to try to find out which of the precautions he has been neglecting.

In future letters I hope to point out to your notice some famous cases of disaster due to such neglect. 45