WHO ARE THE WISE?

Progress, 1 October 1907, Page 454

WHO ARE THE WISE?

LBy Pete^,Elus.j

~* According to some people the wise men of the world are they who never venture on uncertainties — they are say, a crude invention, but if there is any uncertainty

about it, they say " leave it alone." Wise men, then, are ultra-conservative, and the world owes nothing to such. Now, where are we to look for the force to make the world progress ? If the so-called wise men stand aloof, is the work left to the fools ? Foolish inventors who run risks, foolish speculators who back them, our war generals, experimentalists, heroes, are they all fools ? If so, it seems perplexing, since it reduces the socalled wise men to mere nonentities — nay more, their advice will actually retard progress. The fact seems to be that really wise men are found among those who weigh facts, estimate chances, and boldly venture on promising projects, notwithstanding an element of uncertainty, knowing that all material being is uncertain — even life itself. Such men sometimes fail as men — sometimes die, but they are truly wise in having tried to succeed, for they often judge correctly, and the progress ofjjthe world is built on their efforts. From one point of view, conservatism is another name for coys pj'dice.