Inheritance of wisdom
Poet Carl Sandburg wants to leave his wisdom to his son who is at the threshold of his manhood. He wants his son to be like steel and rock to confront the harsh challenges and betrayals. But he should use his discernment go easy because life can be like soft clay too. He explains lucidly how a tender flowering plant with a ‘tough will’ can split a rock. He makes his son understand how gentleness has reformed criminals when lashes failed. One can’t achieve much without a deep desire to achieve success. He advises his son to be cautious with money for greed of easy money has heralded the downfall of good men. One can’t acquire wisdom or knowledge overnight. One may commit mistakes in life and be called a fool. But one can overcome frailties by consciously avoiding such mistakes.
Value of introspection
One has to look within and analyse one’s shortcomings. One must not be defensive but accept one’s own drawbacks. While contemplating in solitude, one gains flashes of insight into one’s own self and becomes creative. The best decisions in life are usually taken in silent rooms. If it is natural on one’s part to be different, ignoring criticisms one can dare to be different.
Changes wrought by free imagination
Great geniuses like Shakespeare, Pasteur, Pavlov, and Michael Faraday achieved grand success in their pursuits because they wanted to use their free imagination to change the world in their own way The world is complacent with the existing order of things and may resent changes. But if one brushes aside the popular resentment and strives hard with free imagination one can achieve success like scientists and social thinkers who have transformed the world.
Conclusion
The greatest legacy a father can possibly leave his son or daughter is not wealth but wisdom and positive attitude to meet challenges in life.