—William James
This states even more clearly the idea I so cherished when I first came upon it in the closing lines of Lincoln’s second inaugural address: “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God has gives us to see the right . . .” That’s what Lincoln wrote and said. He hits the sweet spot which is somewhere between ignorant waywardness, and wise paralysis.
James makes a similar point, not unlike that suggested in the short version of The Serenity Prayer. And so I’m contradicting myself. Which I’m apt to do. Making a fool of myself. Which might be okay with Mom and Dad. Just as long as I was artful in the expression of my mortification.
