Smatterings: On the Value of Partial Knowledge
The following paragraph on smatterings which we find afloat in the papers, we can commend, with a caution or two, to the favorable consideration of all. The caution is, Do not be content with smatterings only. Better to have a little knowledge of any subject than none; but do not be content with that little, if you can consistently acquire more. And again, Do not set up as a professor on any subject of which you have only a smattering. “SMATTERINGS.—Learn everything you can. It will come in play. Don’t be frightened away from any pursuit because you have only a little time to devote to it. If you can’t have anything more, a smattering is infinitely better than nothing. Even a slight knowledge of the arts and sciences opens up a whole world of thought before us. We appreciate a fine painting better because we have taken a few strokes of the pencil, and know something of the difficulties of the task. Ignorance is restricted to a very few pleasures; it is only intelligence which delights in all things. “A limited knowledge of the natural sciences will give one a life-long source of happiness. We stand at the portal of these pure joys afraid to enter as we look at the long, long vistas beyond; but the moment we have crossed the threshold we begin to experience pleasure. We have not to wait until we reach the end; there is a compensation given us at once for every effort we put forth. A little systematic endeavor—one hour, or even half an hour a day—and a man may be considered learned before he dies. “Learn thoroughly what you do learn, be it ever so little, and you may speak of it with confidence. A few clearly-defined facts and ideas are worth a whole library of uncertain knowledge. As we change about among a continually shifting people, we are frequently placed in positions where we may learn with scarcely an effort on our part, and yet we hang back because it takes so long to acquire a mastery of anything. Let the end alone! Begin! learn! do what you can to-day, to-morrow; and though after all it prove to be but a mere smattering, you have gathered some intelligence on one point more than you had before, and you have found happiness in seeking it.”