Conflictis the gadfly of thought. It stirs us to observation and memory. Itinstigates to invention. It shocks us out of sheeplikepassivity, and sets us at noting and contriving.
A cup is useful only when it is empty; and a mind that is filled with beliefs, with dogmas, with assertions, with quotations, is really an uncreative mind.
Bythree methods we may learn wisdom: first, by reflection, which is noblest;second, imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is thebitterest.
