Words of Wisdom

I will unashamedly admit that I read Louis L’Amour.  A lot of Louis L’Amour.  In fact I own paperback copies of probably more than half of his titles.

Sure, it’s cheesy.  Sure, it’s formula fiction.

But for some quick escape reading, there’s not much else I’d prefer.

I recently signed a copy of “Reilly’s Luck” out of the library via our Bookmobile.  I’d never this title before and so I set to it.

L’Amour has always given me bits of wisdom here and there, but in this story I found quite a bit of uncommonly good wisdom.

Here, for your Wednesday reading pleasure, are a few of my favourites:

“Always give yourself an edge, boy.  You may never need it, but it saves a lot of worry.  Learn to depend on yourself, and if you expect nothing from anybody else you will never be disappointed.”

“Remember this, son.  You are all you have.  Learn…learn everything you can, then you will always know a little more than they think you know.  Most people in this world are out to take you.  It isn’t always their fault, but it is the way they live.  If you know that, and make allowances for it, you won’t go far wrong.”

“I have always liked the feel of a good book.  It’s like a gun.  When a man opens a book or fires a gun he has no idea what the effect will be, or how far the shot will travel.”

“…most people are sadly, weakly human.  Don’t ever forget that.  All but a few mean to be honest, but sometimes their ambition, their greed, or their need for more money will lead them into error.”