From “Lincoln 365,” by Arnold Kunst
January 23
During the run-up to the
presidential election of 1864 the Republican Party appeared in complete
disarray and the opposition rejoiced. One who was clearly disturbed about what
appeared to be the impending defeat of the Republican ticket came to Lincoln
about it. The president seemed oddly unfazed by the whole thing. 'It is not
worth fretting about; it reminds me of an old acquaintance who having a son of
a scientific turn bought him a microscope. The boy went around experimenting
with his glass on everything that came his way. One day at the dinner table his
father took up a piece of cheese. “Don't eat that, father” said the boy; “it is
full of wrigglers.” “My son,” replied the old gentleman, taking at the same
time a huge bite, “let 'em wriggle; I can stand it if they can.''’
'And we should consider every day
lost on which we have not danced at least once. And we should call every truth
false which was not accompanied by at least one laugh. '
- Friedrich Nietzsche
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