The Whistle

The Whistle

Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790)

When I was a child of seven years old, my friends, on a holiday, filled my pocket with coppers. I went directly to a shop where they sold toys for children; and being charmed with the sound of a whistle, that I met by the way in the hands of another boy, I voluntarily offered and gave all my money for one. I then came home, and went whistling all over the house, much pleased with my whistle, but disturbing all the family. My brothers, and sisters, and cousins, understanding the bargain I had made, told me I had given four times as much for it as it was worth; put me in mind what good things I might have bought with the rest of the money; and laughed at me so much for my folly, that I cried with vexation; and the reflection gave me more chagrin than the whistle gave me pleasure.

This, however, was afterwards of use to me, the impression continuing on my mind; so that often, when I was tempted to buy some unnecessary thing, I said to myself, Don’t give too much for the whistle; and I saved my money.

As I grew up, came into the world, and observed the actions of men, I thought I met with many, very many, who gave too much for the whistle.

When I saw one too ambitious of court favor, sacrificing his time in attendance on levees, his repose, his liberty, his virtue, and perhaps his friends, to attain it, I have said to myself, This man gives too much for his whistle.

When I saw another fond of popularity, constantly employing himself in political bustles, neglecting his own affairs, and ruining them by that neglect, He pays, indeed, said I, too much for his whistle.

If I knew a miser, who gave up every kind of comfortable living, all the pleasure of doing good to others, all the esteem of his fellow-citizens, and the joys of benevolent friendship, for the sake of accumulating wealth, Poor man, said I, you pay too much for your whistle.

When I met with a man of pleasure, sacrificing every laudable improvement of the mind, or of his fortune, to mere corporeal sensations, and ruining his health in their pursuit, Mistaken man, said I, you are providing pain for yourself, instead of pleasure; you give too much for your whistle.

If I see one fond of appearance, or fine clothes, fine houses, fine furniture, fine equipages, all above his fortune, for which he contracts debts, and ends his career in a prison, Alas! say I, he has paid dear, very dear, for his whistle.

When I see a beautiful sweet-tempered girl married to an ill-natured brute of a husband, What a pity, say I, that she should pay so much for a whistle!

In short, I conceive that great part of the miseries of mankind are brought upon them by the false estimates they have made of the value of things, and by their giving too much for their whistles.

Yet I ought to have charity for these unhappy people, when I consider that, with all this wisdom of which I am boasting, there are certain things in the world so tempting, for example, the apples of King John, which happily are not to be bought; for if they were put to sale by auction, I might very easily be led to ruin myself in the purchase, and find that I had once more given too much for the whistle.

Interesting story.

I have a question for you Br. John, and I bring this up publicly so that everyone can chime in with their opinion and perhaps fill me in on things I am unaware of.

I've been meaning to ask you this: why is it that all your posts are just links to other pages, or quotes of articles, etc.? I looked through your posts of the last month just to be sure I wasn't imagining things, and I didn't really find anything you said yourself, or at least not anything wisdom-based.

I don't mean to start an argument here, I just would like to hear what you have to say. Outside of the TOTJO curriculum, do you not have anything to say? Of course, I know there's the old saying, "Those who know, do not speak; those who speak do not know", in which case you would be a prime example.

Please don't take this the wrong way, as I mean no offense. We've both been Jedi for a long time so I would just love to have a real conversation with you.

MTFBWY

I'd be delighted. What do you wan't to talk about?

I've been mostly curious about your origins as a Jedi, pretty much since I found out you were running the show here I have a feeling that would be a fascinating story.

Hmmmm....invasive...
I was waiting for the autobiography and the PBS special, but, since you brought it up... :whistle:

Invasive? I apologize if I crossed the line, I'm just curious. I don't mean to be rude or disrespectful. Personally, I like telling the story of my origins as a Jedi. I think it's an important phase in a Jedi's life, not just a beginning, but a sign.

I realize this is way off topic, it just seemed like a good opportunity to bring it up.

Edit: wait, is there seriously going to be a book, or were you just being ironical?

So, when I joined, a frequent visitor and I were chatting, and she ask for opinions...

and to "not use the words of another", and "not to use quotes and whatever"...

I ask her what was wrong with using the words of another?

If someone says something I agree with, and puts it so much more eloquently than I, why should I be denied the useage?

lol...

John is the eternal student... And comments little, in all my time...

Sometimes, I wish I would shut up as much as he does... It is actually very inspirational to me...

Of course, then what would the point of the forum be? hahahaha...

Jacen wrote: I've been mostly curious about your origins as a Jedi, pretty much since I found out you were running the show here I have a feeling that would be a fascinating story.

The notion of me running The Order is extremely generous. Maybe in the beginning but now it's managed by many people doing far more work than I.

A few weeks before my seventeenth birthday I saw Star Wars (now known as Episode IV A New Hope). That was in 1977. I can't remember how many times I went back to see it again but it was plenty. I sneaked in a cassette tape recorder so I could listen to it at home. The idea of The Force resonated with me.

I remember a world without Star Wars but we had Star Trek.

Br.John created TOTJO and worked hard to establish the heart and soul of what it is today. Although he has stepped back somewhat from "frontline duties", he remains a Councillor, our Senior Pastor, Patriarch and guiding light. As such, John is a constant source of inspiration and enlightenment so I find it appropriate that he takes the time to seek out such notions in others words and delivers them to us here.

These words of mine might seem a bit "toadying" to some but they go only a small way towards expressing the gratitude and admiration I have.

Its just a matter of time, Jacen. :silly: