But the strongest man needs to "await occasions." The essence of all good
work is timeliness. For the right thing done at the wrong time is as bad as
the wrong thing at any time. Preparing telescopes and instruments of
photography, the astronomer sails to Africa, and there waits weeks for the
moment of full eclipse. At last the "occasion" comes. Nature will not be
hurried. For her finest effects in fruits and flowers, she takes her own
time. In February the husbandman finds the sun refusing warmth, the clouds
refusing rain, the soil refusing seed. Therefore he awaits occasions. And
lo! in May, the sunbeams wax warm, the soil wakens to full ardor, the
clouds give forth their rain, and the husbandman enters into his
opportunity.
In his reminiscences General Sherman explains his victorious march to the
sea by saying that during his college days he spent a summer in Georgia.
While his companions were occupied with playing cards and foolish talk he
tramped over the hills, and made a careful map of the country. Years passed
by. The war came on. Ordered to march upon Atlanta his expert knowledge won
his victory. Readiness for the occasion brought him to fame and honor.
To-morrow some jurist, merchant, statesman will die. The youth who is ready
for the place, will find the mantle falling upon his shoulders. Success is
readiness for occasions.
But whether waiting or working, man must "hurry never." It is fear that
makes haste. Confidence is composed. Greatness is tranquillity. Dead
objects, like bullets, can be hurled swiftly. Living seeds cannot be
forced. Slowly the acorn goes toward the oak. Slowly the babe journeys
toward the sage. Slowly and with infinite delays Haydn and Handel moved
toward their perfect music. Filling barrels with manuscripts and refusing
to publish, Robert Louis Stevenson attained his exquisite style. Millet
described his career as ten years of daubing, ten years of drudgery, ten
years of despair and ten years of liberty and success. Man begins at
nothing. Life is a school. Duties are drill-masters. Man's faculties are
complex. Slowly the soul moves toward harmony, symmetry and beauty. He who
"hurries never" has found the secret of growth, serenity and repose.