Читать книгу The Pelman System of Mind and Memory Training - Lessons I to XII - Анон - Страница 47

4. Human energy, therefore, is a combination of physical health and mental vim; and at this juncture we cannot do better than refer the reader to some striking examples. In so doing we shall not emulate Samuel Smiles—whose work is even now greatly misunderstood—but we shall try to fathom the mental operations of a few variously successful men, with a view to ascertain the origin of their energetic policy, and of the qualities of mind they displayed in accomplishing their aims.

1.Descartes, the great philosopher, began life as a soldier.

2.Faraday, the great physicist, began life as a bookseller’s assistant.

3.Pasteur, the great bacteriologist, began life as a country schoolmaster.

Here are three names standing as representatives of those whose careers were dramatically changed from their original purpose. What kind of influence was it that caused Faraday, for instance, to cease bookselling and begin experimenting in physics?

There is only one answer and that is intense interest in the subject.

And how did that interest arise?

It was born in him.

The same conclusion applies to Descartes and Pasteur.