SIR GEORGE REID'S ADVICE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXV, Issue LXV, 18 November 1913, Page 3

SIR GEORGE REID'S ADVICE.

Talking to Melbourne University students, Sir George Reid said:. One of the extraordinary facts ~about modern life was that,the human mind was one of the last fnings thought of or spoken oi, although it was the sovereign fact of all facts. Even from the lower standard, that of pounds, shillings, and pence, the improvement of the mind was the best possible investment. No man could tell how able he could be| until he tried his best and hardest, and even,if that did not achieve the highest place, a man was all the better for having tried. Quickness of, 'mind was very good if it were yoked up with'thoroughness ; but thoroughness was the more important attribute. Young people often failed, because they thought they were quicker or cleverer than they really were. It took time to become both quick and clever. Looking was one thing, and seeing was quite another, reading and understanding that which was read were also not the same. Learning with assimilation might bring a man to the highest points of fame. There were three sets of faculties. One set stored knowledge, another set assimilated it, and the third set made use of. it by means of conversation, composition and public speaking. It yas much easier to become a; good conversationalist, and a good writer, than lo become a good public speaker. Good public speaking was one of the most difficult accomplishments in the world, and it was impossible without intense labor and constant practice.