Page:The reflections of Lichtenberg.djvu/150

 that we can at least answer the commonest objections to it. It may then be added to our accumulated stock of knowledge. No questionable property ought ever to be reckoned with this account. If anything generally accepted cannot be made to agree with our theories, very likely we still lack certain first principles; and the acquisition of these is a great gain. We should not dip too often into books dealing with branches of knowledge which we have still to learn. It has a discouraging effect. Let us always finish the work that we have in hand.

By strictly attending to our thoughts and feelings, and by expressing them so that through a careful choice of promptly-noted words they shall obtain a strongly individual character, we may very quickly lay in a stock of observations in many ways profitable. It makes us acquainted with ourselves for one thing, and lends solidarity and unity to our system of thought. Our social conversation comes to have certain peculiarities of its own, like the face,an accomplishment very much appreciated by those who know, and if absent, creating a bad impression. We thus get a store of good things which may be utilized afterwards; we form our style, reinforce the sense of discrimination, and render ourselves alive to everything. Not all wealthy people have become so by luck, but many owe their fortunes to thrift. Vigilance, practice, and economy with one’s thoughts may in