A DAILY MESSAGE
DO YOUR OWN THINKING!
■About three hundred years ago young -■alileo mounted the leaning tower at Pisa, and there, before the learned men’ of his time, dropped two weights— a ball weighing one pound, another weighing one hundred pounds. The assembled multitude saw the weights start together, saw them fall together, and heard them strike the ground together.
A few were convinced, but the majority went home to consult with the
••authorities”; they could not trust ihe evidence of tlieir own senses. Since the “authorities” stated that the heavier weight should reach the ground first, they declared that Galileo’s l.leery must be false. They were so utterly dependent upon the opinions of others that even, though they had neard both weights striking the ground at the same time, they declared their, adherence to the opinion of the “ authorities.”
Even the most conclusive demonstration of a great truth is lost upon some people, if it conflicts with the accepted beliefs of tlieir day.
How many there are in our day like those ancient “leaners”! Men and women who lean upon the “ authorities ” —who cling to outworn beliefs and opinions because of the “authorities ” —who are so dependent upon the opinion of the “ authorities ” that they are not only capable of doing their own thinking, but even, when a great truth is demonstrated, are afraid to de pond upon the evidence of tno'i'r own sense and judgment. The most priceless possession any human being has, is his capacity for original thinking—his power of judgment. And the most valuable contribution any of us can make to our nine is to do our own thinking. Don’t become a mental “leaner”! Don’t he one of those poor puppets who only think by somebody else’s sanction. The law of gravitation controls the universe, despite the “authorities” of Galileo’s time.
Many of the “authorities” are only authorities until their theories arc in veslignted and exploded.
Do your own thinking! • You can sort up right and wrong. You can separate the grain from the chaff. You can employ your own faculty. You can investigate and become your own “ authority.” —M. PKISSTON STANLEY
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Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1929, Page 1
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357A DAILY MESSAGE Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1929, Page 1
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