Henry H. Rogers

Henry Huttleston Rogers (January 29 1840 – May 19 1909) was a United States capitalist, businessman, industrialist, financier, and philanthropist. He was one of the key men in John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil Trust


In the spirit of Horatio Alger, "Hen" Rogers, a child of working-class parents, amassed a fortune such that he was listed in a 1996 study as one of the 25 all-time most wealthy individuals in United States history.

As a youth, Hen Rogers was only an average student. He carried newspapers and he worked in his father's grocery store as a teenager. He was in the first graduating class of the local high school in 1857. He then hired on with the Old Colony Railroad as a brakeman, working for several years and saving his money.




In 1861, 21-year-old Henry pooled his savings of approximately $600 with a friend, Charles Ellis. They set out to western Pennsylvania and its newly discovered oil fields, where the young partners began their small Wamsutta Oil Refinery at McClintocksville near Oil City. The old Native American name "Wamsutta" was apparently selected in honor of their hometown area of New England, where Wamsutta Company in nearby New Bedford had opened in 1846, and was a major employer. The Wamsutta Company was the first of many textile mills that gradually came to supplant whaling as the principal employer in New Bedford.




Rogers and Ellis and their tiny refinery made $30,000 their first year. This amount was more than three entire whaling ship trips from back home could hope to earn during an average voyage of more than a years' duration. Of course, he was regarded as very successful when Rogers returned home to Fairhaven for a short vacation the next year.
 
 
 
Rogers conceived the idea of long pipe lines for transporting oil and natural gas. In 1881, the National Transit Company was formed by Standard Oil to own and operate Standard's pipelines. The National Transit Company remained one of Rogers' favorite projects throughout the rest of his life.
 
East Ohio Gas Company (EOG) was incorporated on September 8, 1898, as a marketing company for the National Transit Company, the natural gas arm of John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil Company of New Jersey. The company launched its business by selling to consumers in northeast Ohio gas produced by another National Transit subsidiary, Hope Natural Gas Company.
 
http://www.spiritus-temporis.com/henry-h-rogers/seeking-his-fortune.html

HOME :: Business / Entrepreneurialism The 16th Century Entrepreneur Who Created the Concept of the Taxi

The 16th century was a time of amazing transformation in Europe. The Dark Ages were gone, the Black Plague had run it course and Middle Age fears and superstitions were slowly disappearing. The printing press had been invented and it was completely revamping the way people communicated. Columbus had discovered the America's and the great age of exploration was in full swing. Medical advances, the Reformation, the creation of the great Italian banking houses and the Dutch trading companies had completely changed the way people thought, worked and worshipped.

And yet, there was one area in which there had been virtually no advance since the time of Christ: transportation. Horse or mule, horse drawn carts and boat were the methods of travel utilized to convey people, goods and foodstuffs. Travel was slow. It was uncomfortable. And, it was often very dangerous. Brigands and pirates faced little in the way of organized policing. A bandit pretty much had a field day during the period.

Of all the difficulties a traveler faced, the most frustrating by far was speed: or the lack thereof. As the great Florentine, Venetian and Genoan merchant banks financed warfare, fleets, crops, expeditions and colonization, they had to continually factor a risk premium into their risk/reward computations before settling on the interest to be charged on each loan. The slowness of receiving news of progress, success or failure on the status of an investment vehicle was agonizing to all parties participating in an enterprise. Did the fleet sink, or is it close to home with a valuable cargo? Has the battle been engaged, and who won? Was a new land discovered, and what did it offer in minerals or trade goods as materials for profit?



Knowledge is power, and speed provides the edge that makes this power so important. If I know today, what my enemy or rival will not know for several days, I have a decided advantage on strategizing to my advantage and profit. In the 16th century an industrious Belgian family developed the first international service to address the ages old problem of slow communication.



The Tassis family had obtained the rights to handle a rudimentary postal service in several Duchies in what is now Belgium. The service promised a decent living for the Tassis family by the standards of the time. However, they wanted to do more, expand and create a service that could become the international standard.



The Tassis family divided the work responsibilities between family members and had them disperse throughout Europe. The key to their success was a cohesive, standardized system of fleet horses, experienced, responsible riders, a network of terminals to change horse, rider and re-route mail and packages, and scheduled delivery times. Spain, France, Italy and Germany were little more than a polyglot of feudal city states during this time. There was no central government to handle a service like mail delivery that we consider routine today. The opportunity for a private company to organize and manage an international operation of this import and scale was a wonder.



The Tassis' received contracts to handle the delivery of mail throughout most of continental Europe. From Naples to the Danube, and Gibraltar to Copenhagen, the family built a delivery network that managers at DHL, UPS, or FedEx would admire and recognize today. A treaty, legal contract or purchase order that took five weeks to reach Genoa from Madrid, could now be delivered in seven to 10 days. As the loads increased the price was lowered and this only accelerated the use of the service.



The family became rich, powerful and across Europe became members of the aristocracy. The name Tassis in the German language is spelled "taxis".

Today, everywhere in the world, people call for a taxicab when they need to transport themselves for a fare. The taxi service created by the Tassis' was an important part of the development of the Renaissance.



The Tassis are responsible for one of the most elemental and important service enhancements in history. The ability to accelerate the movement of important commercial, legal and governmental communications enabled decisions to be made more quickly and on a grander scale. The entrepreneurial innovation that the Tassis family introduced enriched their family, business, government and, most importantly, the working class that benefited so much from the rapid expansion of capital and trade. Even today, we can still learn from the historical record that the ability to offer a novel new benefit pays off in so many ways.



Geoff Ficke has been a serial entrepreneur for almost 50 years. As a small boy, earning his spending money doing odd jobs in the neighborhood, he learned the value of selling himself, offering service and value for money.



After putting himself through the University of Kentucky (B.A. Broadcast Journalism, 1969) and serving in the United States Marine Corp, Mr. Ficke commenced a career in the cosmetic industry. After rising to National Sales Manager for Vidal Sassoon Hair Care at age 28, he then launched a number of ventures, including Rubigo Cosmetics, Parfums Pierre Wulff Paris, Le Bain Couture and Fashion Fragrance.



Mr. Ficke and his consulting firm, Duquesa Marketing, Inc. (http://www.duquesamarketing.com) has assisted businesses large and small, domestic and international, entrepreneurs, inventors and students in new product development, capital formation, licensing, marketing, sales and business plans and successful implementation of his customized strategies. He is a Senior Fellow at the Page Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, Business School, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Geoff_Ficke

Florence Nigtingale

Born in 1820 to a wealthy family. Florence was educated at home by her father. She aspired to serve others, in particular she wanted to become a nurse. Her parents were opposed - at that time, nursing was not seen as an attractive or 'respectable' profession. Despite her parents disapproval, Florence went ahead and trained to be a nurse. Florence later wrote that she felt suffocated by the vanities and social expectations of the upbringing, but, on one occasion sitting in the garden she felt a call from God. She resolved to try and follow God’s will in serving others.




Florence had the opportunity to marry, but, she refused a couple of suitors. She felt marriage would enslave her in domestic responsibilities.



In 1853, the Crimera war broke out. This was a bloody conflict leading to many casualties on both sides. Reports of the British casualites were reported in the press; in particular it was noted that the wounded lacked even the most basic of first aid treatment. Many soldiers were dying unnecessarily. This was a shock to the British public as it was one of the first wars to be reported vividly in the press back home. Later in 1855, Florence Nightingale was asked (with the help of her old friend Sydney Herbert) to travel to the Crimea and organise a group of nurses. Many of the initial applicants were unsuitable and Florence was strict in selecting and training the other nurses.



Florence was very gald to be able to take up the post and put into use her training as a nurse. They were based at the staff hospital at Scutari. She was overwhelmed by the primative and chaotic conditions. There were insufficient beds for the men and conditions were terrible; the place smelt, was dirty and even had rats running around spreading disease. Speaking of Scutari hospital, Florence Nightingale, said



"The British high command had succeeded in creating the nearest thing to hell on earth."



In the beginning, the nurses were not even allowed to treat the dying men, they were only instructed to clean the hospital. But, eventually the number of casualties became so overwhelming the doctors asked Florence and her team of nurses to help.



Florence's attitude included strict discipline for her other nurses, who always wore a highly visible uniform. The efforts of Florence and her team of nurses were greatly appreciated by the wounded soldiers and gradually positive news reports filtered back home, retelling their service.



By the time she returned home she had become a national heroine and was decorated with numerous awards including one from Queen Victoria.

After the war, she didn't really appreciate the fame, but, continued to work for the improvement of hospital conditions, writing to influential people encouraging them to improve hygiene standards in hospitals. She also founded a training school for nurses at St Thomas's hospital, London.



Florence Nigtingale died at the age of 90 in 1910.



Another nurse who gained a strong reputation at the time of the Crimean War was Jamaican nurse, Mary Seacole. Florence Nightingale didn't accept her offer of services when she came to the Crimea. But, Mary worked on her own initiative from a base in Balaclava near the front line. Her reputation amongst British officers was as strong as the reputation of Florence Nightingale. But, it was Florence Nightingale who remained in the public consciousness in the twentieth century.

Galileo

Galileo Galilei - Astronomer and Scientist 1564-1642




Galileo was born in Florence, Italy in 1564 to a poor but noble family.



His parents recognised their child's innate inteligence and talents and so made sacrifices to have him educated. At his father's insistence, Galileo studied the profitable career of medicine. At the University of Pisa, Galileo became fascinated in a wide range of subjects. He was also critical of many of Aristotle's teaching which had dominated education for the past 2,000 years.



Galileo was appointed to be a mathematics professor at the university of Pisa, but, his strident criticisms of Aristotle, left him isolated amongst his contempories. After 3 years of persecution, he resigned and went to the university of Padua. Here he taught maths. His entertaining lectures attracted a large following and he was able to spend the next 18 years pursuing his interests in astronomy and mechanics.



During this time, Galileo made important discoveries about gravity, inertia and also developed the forerunner of the thermometer. Galileo also worked tirelessly on the science of gnomonics (telling time by shadows) and the laws of motion.



It was in astronomy that Galileo that became famous and also courted the opposition of the Holy Roman Catholic Church.



Galileo came to the same conclusions of Copernicus that the sun was the centre of the universe and not the earth. By inventing the world's first telescope, Galileo was able to make many explorations of the universe. He found that



•Saturn had a beautiful ring of clouds.



•The moon was not flat but had mountains and craters.



•Jupiter had many moons which revolved around Jupiter rather than directly the sun.

Thus, Galileo not only had the mathematical proofs of Copernicus, but, also new proof from the science of astronomy. However, Galileo knew that publishing these studies would bring the disproval of the church authorities.



The Church had already started to forbid the teachings of his teachings, especially anything that supported Copernicus.



However, in 1623, a new pope, Pope Urban VIII seemed to be more liberally minded and he allowed Galileo to publish his great works on astronomy and supporting the works of Copernicus.



However, after publication, elements within the Church sought to attack Galileo's position. Thus, Galileo was arrested and imprisoned for several months. He was convicted of heresy and was forced to recant his beliefs. He spent the remaining years of his life under house arrest at Arceti.



Galileo had three children. He was especially close to one of his daughters, Polissena; she took the name of Sister Maria Celeste and entered a convernt near Arceti.

Despite being censured by the church, Galileo continued to make discoveries until death overtook him in 1642. He was blind by the time he passed away.



Galileo made many important contributions to the development of science

Alexander

Alexander was perhaps the greatest military commander of all time. During one decade, he conquered all of the known world leaving one of the world's most extensive empires.

Alexander was born in the northern Greek kingdom of Macedonia in July 356 BC. His parents were Philip II, King of Macedon, and his wife Olympias.






As a young child he was tutored by the great philosopher, Aristotle. Aristotle taught a variety of subjects including philosophy, poetry and ideals of government. To some extent these ideals influenced Alexander when he was later governing conquered nations.

Alexander had a love of music and books, when asked what is greatest possession was, Alexander replied Homer's Illiad. However, he also had a ruthless nature which he displayed on being crowned King. Alexander soon moved to have all potential challengers killed (including his infant half brother)- so he could be the undisputed King. When a friend was found guilty of treason, he also executed his innocent father (who had been a loyal general to Alexander).






On coming to the throne, Alexander united the warring factions in Greece, before leading his army into Persia. Although seemingly outnumbered, Alexander led his army to a decisive victory. It was said that during his reign, Alexander remained undefeated. After beating the Persians, Alexander led his faithful army further East until they came to the regions of Afghanistan and India. Again Alexander proved militarily successful and went onto establish cities in many different countries.






Although, Alexander was ruthless in eliminating rivals to the throne, his treatment of occupied territories was remarkably progressive and tolerant. Alexander forbid his troops from raping and pillaging, but, established new democratic governments incoporating the local customs of the area. He allowed religious tolerance for the different religious groups.






Many stories tell of the loyalty and faith his army had in Alexander. Once they were returning across a desert with hardly and water left. It is said that Alexander's will alone, kept his troops focused on making the return journey. At one point, his army collected a small pitcher of water from the remaining supplies and offered it to Alexander. Alexander said nothing and disdainfully through the precious water into the sand. It was incidents like this which created a God-like image around Alexander. He himself said, it was only sleep and sex which reminded him he was a mortal.






However, he enjoyed a passionate life of drinking, womanising and revelling. For a man seemingly invincible on the battlefield he ironically died at the early age of 32.

Margaret Thatcher.

Biography Margaret Thatcher.

Margaret Thatcher was Britain's first female prime minister, who became a pivotal figure in British and world politics. After studying at Sommerville College, Oxford university, Mrs Thatcher progressed through the ranks of the Conservative party to become education minister in Ed Heath's government of the early 1970s. It was as education minister that Mrs Thatcher developed a rather crude nickname of "Maggie Thatcher - the milk snatcher" It was as education secretary that Mrs Thatcher ended free school milk. Even as a minister, Mrs Thatcher proclaimed that Britain would never have a female prime minister. However, contrary to tradition and expectation, Mrs Thatcher was elected Prime Minister in the Conservative landslide of 1979.






Mrs Thatcher wasted no time in introducing controversial economic policy's. She believed that a harsh implementation of Monetarism was necessary to overcome the economic ills of inflation and low growth, which she blamed on the previous Labour government. However, although she was successful in reducing inflation, deflationary monetary policies caused a serious economic recession, in which unemployment rose to 3 million. Opinion was strongly against many of her policies. In a famous letter to the Times newspaper, 360 economist wrote a letter arguing the government should change its policies immediately. However, in true Thatcher style, she refused. Instead she stood up at the Conservative party conference and stated: "You turn if you want to, but this lady is not for turning." It was characteristic of her whole premiership - fierce in her belief's and unwavering in her commitment.






In the midst of the recession, the Falklands islands were invaded by the Argentinean army. Mrs Thatcher sent a British expeditionary force to reclaim the islands. With relatively light casualties (although many 100s died in the conflict) the islands were retaken. This military victory brought a filip in support for Thatcher. However, it is worth noting she was criticised for both her decision to sink the Belgrano (which was sailing away from the conflict zone) Others also criticised her triumphalist spirit. On reclaiming the islands, Mrs Thatcher proclaimed "rejoice, rejoice" Many felt this was inappropriate given the recent casualties on both the British and Argentinean sides.






Another defining feature of the early Thatcher administration was her battle with trades unions. Thatcher wanted to reduce the power of trades unions, in particular, she wished to reduce the influence of the militant mine workers union, the NUM led by Arthur Scargill. Mrs Thatcher prepared the country for a long strike; when the miners went all out on strike in 1984, they were eventually forced back into work after a year long bitter struggle.






The remaining years of her premiership were overshadowed by her controversial and dogmatic decision to stick with the poll tax. This was widely regarded as an unfair tax because everybody paid the same amount regardless of income. Opposition to the poll tax spilled over into violent protest and her popularity plummeted. Because of her declining popularity she was eventually forced out in 1990. Although she was bitter about her perceived betrayal, she left an unprecedented mark on the UK economic and political landscape. For good or ill, she changed the British economic and political situation. It is ironic that when Labour eventually regained power in 1997, it was largely due to the fact Tony Blair and new Labour took on board many of the economic policies that Mrs Thatcher had initiated. There was often a curious mutual respect between Mrs Thatcher and Tony Blair.

Oscar Wilde Biography

Oscar Wilde is one of the most iconic figures from late Victorian society. Enjoying a meteoric rise to the top of society. His wit, humour and intelligence shine through his plays and writings. For his sexuality he suffered the indignity and shame of imprisonment. For a long time his name was synonymous with scandal and intrigue. However with changing social attitudes he is remembered with great affection for his biting social criticism, wit and linguistic skills.

“To get back my youth I would do anything in the world, except take exercise, get up early or be respectable.”


- Oscar Wilde






As Stephen Fry wrote of Oscar Wilde.






“What of Wilde the man? He stood for Art. He stood for nothing less all his life.. He is still enormously underestimated as an artist and a thinker.. Wilde was a great writer and a great man.”






Short biography: Oscar Wilde


Oscar Wilde was born on 16th October 1854. in Dublin, Ireland. His parents were well known and attracted their fare share of gossip for their extravangant lifestyles. In 1964 his father Wille Wilde was knighted for his services to medicine. However his pride in receiving this honour was overshadowed by an allegation of rape by one of his patients. Although never proved, it cast a shadow over William Wilde.






Oscar Wilde proved to be a student of great talent. He was awarded a scholarship to Trinity College Dublin. Here he studied the classics, in particular developing an interest in the Greek philosophers and the Hellenistic view of life. From Trinity college he won a scholarship to Magdalen College Oxford University. He enjoyed his time in Oxford and was able to develop his poetic sensibilities and love of literature. He also became more conscious of his bisexual nature. For his increasing “femine” dress he often received stick from more “traditional” Oxford students. He was a brilliant scholar but also increasingly rebellious. In one academic year he got rusticated for turning up to College 3 weeks after the start of term. Thus after a while he lost interest in pursuing an academic career in Oxford and moved to London. It was in London that he was able to skilfully enter into high society, soon becoming well known as a playwright and noted wit. Oscar Wilde became famous throughout London society. He was one of the early “celebrities” in some respects he was famous for being famous. His dress was a target for satire in the cartoons, but Wilde didn’t seem to mind. In fact he learnt the art of self-publicity and seemed to revel in it, at least up until his trial in 1898.






Oscar Wilde’s trial gripped the nation, the subject matter a source of intense gossip and speculation. For his “crime” of homosexual acts Wilde was subject to 2 years hard labour in Wandsworth and then Reading Gaol. It is no understatement to say this experience deeply shocked and affected the previously ebullient Wilde. In some respects he never really recovered, on his release he left for Paris where he lived in comparative anonymity. However he retained his wit and continued to write, heavily influenced by his chastening experiences. Of these post gaol writings, his poem “Ballad of Reading Gaol is perhaps the most well known, illustrating a new dimension to Wilde’s writing.






“I never saw a man who looked


With such a wistful eye


Upon that little tent of blue


Which prisoners call the sky.”






..






“ I walked with other souls in pain.


Within another ring.


And was wondering if the man had done


A great or little thing.


When a voice behind me whispered low,


That fellows got to swing.”






From: Ballad of Reading Gaol






Although Wilde couldn’t return to his previous level of writing he developed new capacities, whilst retaining his sharp intellect. As Johnathon fryer commented on Oscar Wilde’s final part of life he was.






“beaten but not bowed, still a clown behind a mask of tragedy.”






The Life of Wilde was turbulent and volatile. Never short of incident. It reflected his own inner paradoxes and revolutionary views. In some ways he was both a saint and sinner at the same time. Rightly or wrongly Wilde is remembered as much for his life as his writings. However he himself said.






“I have put my talent into writing, my genius I have saved for living.”






His writings reflect in part his paradoxical view of life, suggesting things were not always as they appeared. As his biographer Richard Ellman said of Wilde.






“Along with Blake and Nietzche , he was proposing that good and evil are not what they seem, and that moral tabs cannot cope with the complexity of behaviour”






Whatever one may make of Wilde’s life, his capacity for writing remains undeniable. His greatest work and comedy is arguably “The importance of being Earnest” Here the plotline is thin to say the least but Wilde brings it alive through his scintillating repertoire of wit and biting humour.






“Relations are simply a tedious pack of people, who haven’t got the remotest knowledge of how to live, nor the smallest instinct about when to die.”






- Algernon, Act I






“Thirty-five is a very attractive age. London society is full of women of the very highest birth who have, of their own free choice, remained thirty-five for years."






- Lady Bracknell, Act III














Wilde was not an overtly political commentator but through his plays there is an underlying critique of social norms that are illumined for their absurdities.






Wilde remains a fascinating character. One who lived life to the full, experiencing both the joy and tragedy of society’s vacillating judgements. With the distance of over a century it is easier to judge Wilde for his unique contributions to literature rather than through the eyes of Victorian moral standards. His quotes have become immortal a fitting tribute to a genius of the witticism






“I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying.”

Get Ready

We all face a difference i what we think and in what we live.

We all are separated in roots.......................................So understanding the attitude is difficult and adjusting is madeness to exterme.

We all are questioned from people around us...........but you answer to yor soul truelly

and being thrown by unaccecptable behaviour which day by day influence us.



we are creating a new world of war.At the end who has the right attitude will win.Never loose hope for what people think about you.Because you know what you are.Time is there waiting to teach a lesson for all of us.

Never try to escape be ready to get into action always.It gives us the answerings power to our soul.

Justify your decision even if it goes wrong never worry because u took a decision for a cause.pay for it.Sure time will turn it to your side one day.

Condoleezza Rice

One way to judge Secretaries of State is by their reaction to crises. Do they view them as challenges or burdens, opportunities or obstacles? Condoleezza Rice was sworn in as Secretary of State amid the greatest diplomatic upheaval in centuries. She is handling it with panache and conviction.

As National Security Adviser during President Bush's first term, Rice managed the crises of the aftermath of 9/11 with skill and determination. As Secretary of State, she has to switch gears. Her ultimate challenge now is to distill a new, peaceful international order out of several disparate forces: the collapse of the European system of world order, the technological revolution, worldwide ideological ferment, the global quest for popular participation in government. She has already assembled an outstanding staff and, in her whirlwind trips to Europe and Asia, is establishing a global leadership role by putting forward Bush's emphasis on democratic reform. As the only other person to make the transition from National Security Adviser to Secretary of State, I can testify to the complexity of the adjustment. Ultimately, a Secretary of State can succeed only if he or she is close to the President and is treated by him as the center of the policy process. Rice, indeed, enjoys the closest relationship with the President of any Secretary of State of the modern period.



Colleagues throughout the government have seen the degree to which the President relies on her judgment, and no foreign leader can doubt that she speaks for the White House. All this gives her a nearly unprecedented level of authority.



Despite recent progress, Rice, 50, is too much of a student of history not to know that we have witnessed but the first scene of a play in many acts and that final judgments must await the last scene. But it is not too soon to acknowledge the scope and intelligence of her effort and applaud the serenity with which it is being carried out.

John Carter Brown

John Carter Brown was born in Providence, Rhode Island. His family had been prominent since before the Revolution, providing the initial endowment for what is today known as Brown University. His parents shared a passion for the arts and public service. His father, John Nicholas Brown, served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy under President Truman. While living with his family in Washington, the young J. Carter Brown fell in love with the National Gallery of Art and first conceived of a career that would allow him to pursue his love for all the arts and to share them with a larger public.



Although he was already committed to a career in arts administration, Brown spent his undergraduate years studying history and literature, and acquired a master's degree from Harvard Business School. With this preparation, he immersed himself in the study of art history in Europe, including studies with the renowned art historian Bernard Berenson, and completed a second master's degree in art history at New York University.



In 1961, Brown joined the National Gallery as an assistant to the Director, John Walker. He was appointed assistant director in 1964, and in 1969, at the age of 34, he was appointed Director. He was only the third person to hold this position, and would become the longest serving director in the Gallery's history.



Carter Brown was the first American museum director with a business degree. When he set out to raise $50 million for a new acquisitions fund, he overshot the target and raised $56 million. Even as public funding from the arts came under intense political attack, he induced Congress to increase the Gallery's operating budget year after year, from $3 million in 1969 to $52 million when he retired in 1992. During his tenure, the Gallery's endowment grew from $34 million to $186 million.





Having enjoyed an incomparable exposure to the world of art, and a thorough professional and academic training, Brown set himself a goal of bringing the joys of culture to a larger audience than the hermetic world of connoisseurs and art historians. In addressing the public, the Director always referred to the institution he headed as "your Gallery."



With his special gift for diplomacy, Carter Brown persuaded foreign governments to loan priceless works for visiting exhibitions, and led American collectors to donate their treasures to the nation, including works by Cézanne, van Gogh, Picasso and Veronese. In his 23 years at the helm of the Gallery, he increased the collection by 20,000 works of art, including pieces by old masters and modern giants, from Leonardo da Vinci to Claude Monet, Henri Matisse, and Jackson Pollock.



Combining rigorous scholarship with a unique theatrical flair, Brown instituted a series of dazzling special exhibitions. 1977's "Treasures of Tutankhamen," inaugurated a new era of "blockbuster" museum shows. In 1985, one exhibition alone, "Treasure Houses of Britain," attracted almost a million visitors. He also broadened the scope of the gallery beyond its traditional emphasis on European and North American art, with exhibitions of African sculpture, Chinese archaeological discoveries and the historic riches of Japan. Under Brown's leadership, the Gallery's annual attendance rose from 1.3 million in 1969 to almost 7 million visitors a year.





Brown greatly expanded the Gallery's exhibition space, doubling its square footage. Perhaps his greatest triumph was the construction of the Gallery's East Building in 1978. I.M. Pei's angular modern design encountered fierce opposition from traditionalists and preservationists who feared it would spoil the view of the Capitol, but the finished building has become one of Washington's most popular cultural attractions, and one of the most admired buildings in America. Selected as one of the ten best building in America, it ignited an international trend of new museum buildings as innovative works of art. He ended his service to the Gallery on a high note, with "Circa 1492: Art in the Age of Exploration," an unprecedented extravaganza of art from five continents, marking the 500th anniversary of Columbus's voyage to the New World.



After retiring from the National Gallery in 1992, he continued his crusade to bring the splendors of art to the mass public. He founded the cable television arts network Ovation and served as its chairman. During the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, he mounted a magnificent display of works from every continent and period of human history: "Rings: Five Emotions in World Art."





His service to his adopted city continued until the end of his life. He served for 30 years as Chairman the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, an independent agency that advises the Federal and District of Columbia governments on matters of art and architecture that affect the appearance of the nation's capital. In this capacity, Brown was a leading advocate of the controversial Vietnam Veterans Memorial, designed by 21-year-old Maya Lin. As with the East Building of the National Gallery, Carter Brown's judgment was vindicated by the American people, who have made the Vietnam Memorial the most-visited site in the nation's capital. Brown also played a crucial advisory role in the creation of the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the memorial to President Franklin Roosevelt.



In August, 2000, Brown was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, a terminal blood cancer. He confronted his illness with the same dignity and courage that had characterized his entire life and career. Six months before being interviewed by the Academy of Achievement, he received an autologous stem cell transplant and enjoyed an active life for the following year-and-a-half, before succumbing to a lung ailment in June 2002.



In his last years, he participated in a host of new building projects in Washington, including the American Indian Museum, a modern wing for the Corcoran Gallery of Art, and the National World War II Memorial. Through these works and the National Gallery of Art, the generous spirit of J. Carter Brown will contribute to the life of his country for many years to come.

John Carter Brown interview

. Carter Brown Interview

Director Emeritus

National Gallery of Art



May 5, 2001

San Antonio, Texas

What was your life like when you were growing up in the '30s and '40s?



J. Carter Brown: Well, I had a fabulous opportunity of having two parents who each was very interested in the arts, my mother particularly in music. She'd been a music critic before marriage. She played in the Johns Hopkins Orchestra -- the violin. My father took up the cello, and we had chamber music during my childhood, and on. I mean they were passionate about making music. They also had record collections. My father collected orchestral works, and my mother collected opera, and when they merged their two collections there was hardly a single overlap. My father was very visual, and he was into collecting drawings. He was into architecture, he had a drafting board in his study all his life, into the history of architecture. He'd been a patron of architecture, both a gothic chapel at St. George's, on which he worked very closely with Ralph Adams Cram, and then later a very pioneering building. In 1936 he hired Richard Neutra, a revolutionary modernist, to build the first modern house of any size and importance in the East. And so, I grew up in the summers in that house, and it had a big effect on me. But, one absorbed through the pores a sense of the arts from this wonderful atmosphere. And, there was travel, and they could take us to museums, and they really knew what they were looking at. So, it was a pretty exciting way to grow up.



What kinds of things did you like to do when you were a boy?



J. Carter Brown: Well, I was a passionate sailor. I just loved everything about "messing about in boats." I loved racing, because it's such an intellectual challenge as well as a physical challenge. You have to know about nature and weather and the physics of it, and a psychological challenge, because it's what your opponent is thinking and what you think he or she's going to do. So that was a great passion.





I'd been very lucky to be sent off to school -- a lot of people don't think it's so lucky -- boarding school at nine. I went to the Arizona Desert School in Tucson where we all had our own horses. We learned camping, we played polo, we had the most wonderful life because it was so beautiful. We'd get up and do chores at dawn, and we'd see these incredible Arizona sunrises. The tough part was that because they didn't have air-conditioning and it gets so hot, the season -- the academic year -- was squeezed, so you didn't start till mid-October, and you got out early May, which meant there was only room for one vacation in the middle of the year, which meant we were there at Christmas. When you're nine years old and you're away from home at Christmas; it's a little bit of a strain. But, I think that's maturing, and I loved being in the outdoors and being in that gorgeous natural environment. I mean the desert is as beautiful as anything that exists. I go back. I was there just a few weeks ago out of nostalgia. I just love it.



Where in Arizona is this school?



J. Carter Brown: It was in the foothills of the Catalina Mountains near Tucson. It doesn't exist any more. It burned down, and I had a Proustian experience at one point, by renting a horse and going out to see if I could find any archeological remains. Finally I did. I found some tile that didn't burn in the fire, and I could get it fixed back in my memory as to exactly where I was between nine and twelve.



Then I went to school in Massachusetts. They couldn't believe that any school way out there could prepare you, but I only lasted two weeks in the grade they put me in, and they bumped me up. I was there for five years there. That was pretty challenging, because one got a darned good education. But I had trouble with my knee. I had to give up football. I became manager of the football team. It gave me time to practice the piano, and I learned I was never going to be a pianist. It was an exciting time from every point of view except socially.



What went wrong socially? What kind of kid were you?

J. Carter Brown: Oh, I was hopeless. I was very unathletic, and when I was in school I was two years younger than everybody in my class, so I got beaten up all the time, and I got laughed at for being interested in studying and doing stupid things like that. And, it's been so rewarding. I'm going to my 50th anniversary of my high school, and so rewarding that now they feel... I'm the guy that sort of "made it" in the class, having been the Class Joke. Never completely "joke," because I was president of the Dramatic Society, and I did manage to graduate first in my class, but that wasn't the value system of that particular group of boys. They had an undefeated football season. They were really good at athletics, and the atmosphere at school was pretty anti-intellectual in those days.




http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/bro1int-1

Bob Williamson's

Bob Williamson fled a broken home in Mississippi at age 17 to hitchhike around the country. He landed in Atlanta in 1970 at 24, homeless, broke, and addicted to heroin and methamphetamine. When he got a job there cleaning bricks for $15 a week, no one would have guessed that he would start a $26 million software company someday.

Successful businesses often spring from a combination of hard work and dumb luck, and Williamson credits both. Not long after arriving in Atlanta, he was injured in a car wreck and spent months recovering in the hospital. While there, he read the Bible, converted to Christianity, and decided to straighten up his life. It wasn't easy: He had a criminal record, no college degree, and few job prospects.



"I was either going to commit suicide, which several of my friends had done, or I was going turn my life around," says Williamson, now chairman and chief executive officer of Horizon Software International, a 180-employee maker of software for food service systems used in schools, hospitals, and other institutions.

The Element of Chance




Williamson, now 61, presides over Horizon's 44,000-square-foot headquarters in Atlanta. The company had $26 million in revenue in 2007, and he's projecting $32 million this year. Still, Williamson says, "I'm the first one there and the last one to leave." And he ascribes his business success to his conversion. "I have always tried to run my business according to the way that God would want me to…I've always tried to be honest and straightforward, and not lie and not cheat, and not try to take an easy way out."



Hard work was certainly part of Williamson's improbable personal turnaround: He recalls years of working 20-hour days and says he still only sleeps four or five hours a night. But chance guided his entrepreneurial success as well: a car accident that jolted him out of a destructive life, a paint recipe that became a hit, and early exposure to the burgeoning software industry.



And in some ways, Williamson's arrival in Atlanta at the nadir of his life set the foundation for his rise. "I'd been through so much in my life, I don't get discouraged," he says. "The trials I've had in business are mild compared to what my life was like."

Joan of Arc Quotes

“I am not afraid…I was born to do this.”

“One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying.”

Act, and God will act”

“Children say that people are hung sometimes for speaking the truth.”

"Get up tomorrow early in the morning, and earlier than you did today, and do the best that you can. Always stay near me, for tomorrow I will have much to do and more than I ever had, and tomorrow blood will leave my body above the breast. "


"One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying. "


"Since God had commanded it, it was necessary that I do it. Since God commanded it, even if I had a hundred fathers and mothers, even if I had been a King's daughter, I would have gone nevertheless. "

"You say that you are my judge; I do not know if you are; but take good heed not to judge me ill, because you would put yourself in great peril."

Joan of Arc

"One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying." - Joan of Arc

Joan of Arc was born in 1412 Domremy, France. Legend says that she was born to auspicious signs held to be a forecast of national triumph. However, what is more certain is that her family were poor and her region had suffered from the long conflict between England and France.



From an early age Joan of Arc displayed a sensitive and religious temperament. It is said by friends that:



“She was greatly committed to the service of God and the Blessed Mary.” (1)



From the age of 12 she began to have mystical visions. In these visions she said she felt the voice of God commanding her to renew the French nation. At her later trial Joan of Arc said she felt these visions were as real seeing another person. The visions were often accompanied by light and the presence of saints such as St Michael and St Catherine.

"I was thirteen when I had a Voice from God for my help and guidance. The first time that I heard this Voice, I was very much frightened; it was mid-day, in the summer, in my father's garden. ” - Joan of Arc from her trial transcript. (2)



These visions made Joan of Arc even more religiously inclined. She would frequently go to confession and, it is said that, whenever she heard the bells for Mass she would immediately drop her work and run to church.



Initially Joan did not tell others about her visions and inner commandments but in May 1428 the divine messages urged her to seek an audience with Charles de Ponthieu currently an ineffective and relatively weak leader of the French.



At the time of Joan’s childhood, France was seriously divided with a lack of national unity. In 1415 King Henry V of England had invaded France and defeated the French army at Agincourt. This famous victory over the French nobility left the country weak and divided. The main divisions were between the Dauphins and English supporting Burgundians.



Under Charles de Ponthieu the French were without direction and without a real leader. When Joan of Arc came to the court she overwhelmed Charles with her passion and conviction. It is quite remarkable that this 17 year old peasant girl was, as a consequence, given control over an army and allowed to lead them into battle. Within a year Joan of Arc had led the French army to victories at Orleans, Patay and Troyes. Many other towns were also liberated from English control and it allowed a triumphal entry into Dauphin for the coronation of King Charles VII on 17 July 1929.



For her exploits and leadership Joan of Arc and her family were granted noble status. She has also won the hearts of the French soldiers who looked up to Joan as an almost mythical leader. However a year later Joan was captured by the Burgundian forces at Compiegne and sold to the English. Her trial is well documented and provides a revealing insight into her character and destiny.



The English and members of the French clergy decided to put her on trial for witchcraft. In many ways it was a show trial with the result cleverly orchestrated. The leading clergy member was Pierre Cauchon was a staunch supporter of the British and hated Joan of Arc for her miraculous revival of French national pride. However, another interpretation is that he genuinely felt obliged to save Joan's Immortal soul from damnation for the claims she was making.

The trial was a very testing experience for Joan. Initially the trial was held in public, but, her responses were much sharper than her prosecutors expected. She held her own and produced some strong rebuts, which gained her public sympathy. For example, the prosecution tried very hard to get her to blaspheme. She was asked:



Question at Trial: "Do you know if you are in the grace of God?"



"If I am not, may God place me there; if I am, may God so keep me. I should be the saddest in all the world if I knew that I were not in the grace of God. But if I were in a state of sin, do you think the Voice would come to me? " - Joan of Arc (2)



Eventually, the trial was continued behind closed doors. It appears Joan was threatened with torture, but, she wasn't actully tortured. As expected, Joan was found guilty and condemned to death by burning at the stake. Faced with such an overwhelming ordeal Joan broke down and confessed.



However a week later she regained her strength and recanted her confession. She was able to face her ordeal with dignity. It is said that over 10,000 people came to see her execution by burning. Her ashes were scattered in the Seine. One legend tells how her heart remained unaffected by the fire.



26 years later the English were finally driven from Rouen and in a later inquest she was declared to be officially innocent and was officially designated to be a martyr. She was canonized a saint in 1920 and remains the patron saint of France.



Joan of Arc achieved a remarkable achievement in her short life of 19 years. In particular she embodied religious devotion with great bravery and humility, her life helped change the course of French history.

Henry Ford

Henry Ford was n Industrialist who changed the face of automobile manufacture in America, becoming the epitome of American Capitalism. He lent his name to Fordism - efficient mass production.

Henry Ford Early Life

Henry Ford was born in 1863 on a farm in rural Michigan - near Detroit. From an early age he expressed an interest in mechanical devices. He was given a pocket watch at the age of 15 and he developed a reputation for being an experienced watchmaker.



Shortly after his mother passed away, Henry left the family farm to gain employment in Detroit. He worked his way up to becoming an engineer at the Edison Illuminating Company. By 1893 he had become chief engineer and gained the recognition and encouragement of Thomas Eddison. Henry Ford retained a deep affection for Thomas Eddison throughout his life.



It was working as chief engineer at Edison's that he was able to work on a petrol drive quadricycle. His testing was successful and this enabled him to develop this into a small car. This proved the basis for the famous Model T motor car introduced in 1908. The Ford motor company was formed in 1903 with backing of $28,000 from various investors.





Working Practises of Henry Ford

Henry Ford astonished the industrial world by offering a daily wage of $5 a day. Even by 2008 prices that is a very good salary. This wage was far above what anywhere else offered. At a stroke it solved the problem of labour turnover and encouraged the best workers to come to Ford. Through paying high wages, Ford was able to encourage the highest level of labour productivity. Although many criticised his seemingly over generous pay, he also pointed out, that the high wage helped the workers to be able to afford the cars they were making.



However, Henry Ford was hostile to the role of trades unions. For a long time he battled against the trades unions refusing to have anything to do them. However, by 1941, with the workers on strike, his wife encouraged him to finally capitulate to the United Auto Workers UAW.



It was Henry Ford who also revolutionised the production line processes. He helped to develope the assembly line method of production and was always seeking to cut costs. Alhough he did not 'invent' the assembly line he did make one of the most successful commercial applications of its potential. This led to his famous decision to give customers any colour they choose so long as it was black. This was because black was the quickest colour to dry and therefore the cheapest.



The impact of the assembly line was to help reduce the cost of the Model T Motor car. It helped Ford become the dominant motor car. In 1932, it was estimated Ford were producing 33% of the world's automobile production.



Henry Ford had a strong dislike of war. He helped to fund a peace ship to Europe in 1915. He spoke out against the 'vague' financers who encourage war'. He never really got involved in the Second world war effort, though he allowed other officials in the Ford company to transform Ford into one of the biggest military plane builders in the war.



Henry Ford also subscribed to various anti semitic pamphlets. Although he later apologised for some of his anti semitic views, he was deeply admired by Hitler. Ford is the only foreigner mentioned in Mein Kampf and it is said, Hitler had a photograph of Henry Ford. Hitler wanted Volkswagen to mirror the production techniques and philosophy of Ford motor company.

principles of his philosophy

principles of his philosophy

One of the historical works that he is said to have compiled and edited, the Ch'un Ch'iu (Spring and Autumn Annals), is an annalistic account of Chinese history in the state of Lu from 722 to 481 BC. In learning he wished to be known as a transmitter rather than as a creator, and he therefore revived the study of the ancient books. His own teachings, together with those of his main disciples, are found in the Shih Shu (Four Books) of Confucian literature, which became the textbooks of later Chinese generations.

The Teachings of Confucius


Confucius lived in times when there was constant warfare between neigh­boring states

and local warlords had little concern for the high moral principles enunciated by an itinerant

teacher. While his goal was to bring peace and order to states his words had little effect during

his lifetime. His ideas subsequently became the foundation for most of the concern for humanity

found in subsequent Chinese philosophy. Unfortunately, his name has often been used as a cloak for

despotic rule, by a false analogy between a dictator and the head of a family.

Some primary aspects of Confucius's thought are to be found in The Great Learning and in

The Doctrine of the Mean (referred to here as the Doctrine of Equilibrium and Harmony). Parts

of these are given here, followed by extracts from The Analects, a large collection of sayings

of and about Confucius.

The Doctrine of Equilibrium and Harmony

1 The heavens have conferred a human nature on mankind alone. Acting according to our humanity provides the true path through life. Wisdom from the past helps us learn how to follow this path. It is wrong to leave this path for an instant. A path which you are free to leave is not the true path. On this account, the superior man is cautious and careful with respect to where he focuses his attention and how he is regarded; he is anxious to give his mind to only what is worth listening to and what is worth saying. Secret thoughts and minute expressions of concealed feelings may be transparently obvious. Therefore the superior man is watchful over himself even when alone. When there are no stirrings of pleasure, anger, sorrow, or joy, the mind may be said to be in a state of equilibrium. When those feelings are stirred and act in their due degree,
there ensues what may be called a state of harmony. Equilibrium is the great root from which grow all acts of humanity; harmony is the universal path that guides them. Let the states of equilibrium and harmony exist in perfection, and a happy order will prevail throughout the heavens and earth, and all things will be nourished and flourish.

The Great Learning

2 The path for learning greatness is to illuminate the goodness in man, to bring out what is best in people, and to achieve the highest excellence. Once the true point of departure on this path is found, thought becomes clear. A calm imperturbability yields the tranquility needed for careful deliberation. That deliberation will achieve the desired goal.

3 Things have their roots and their branches. Affairs have their ends and their beginnings. To know what is first and what is last will lead near to what is taught in The Great Learning.

4 The ancients wishing to exhibit goodness throughout the kingdom, first ordered well their own states. To order well their own states, they first brought order into their families. To bring order into their families, they first cultivated their persons. Wishing to cultivate their persons,they first rectified their hearts. To rectify their hearts, they first sought to be sincere in their thoughts. Wishing to be sincere in their thoughts, they first extended to the utmost their knowledge. Such extension of know­ledge lay in the investigation of things.
The investigation of things rounded out knowledge. Their knowledge being rounded out, their thoughts were sincere. Their thoughts being sincere, their hearts were then rectified. Their hearts being rectified, their persons were cultivated. Their persons being cultivated, order was brought  into their families. Their families being in order, their states were rightly governed. Their states being rightly governed, the whole kingdom was made tranquil and happy.


5 From the supreme ruler down to the mass of the people, all must consider the cultivation of  the person the root of everything else. When the root is neglected, what springs from it cannot be well ordered. What is of great importance cannot be slightly cared for, nor can what is of slight importance be greatly cared for.

The Analects
Confucius Himself

6 When the disciple Tsze-lu asked to hear his wishes, Confucius replied, “They are, in regard to the aged, to give them rest; in regard to friends, to show them sincerity; in regard to the young, to treat them tenderly.”


7 When Tsze-kung asked for one word that may serve as a rule of practice for all one’s life. Confucius asked, “Is not reciprocity such a word? What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.”

8 Confucius remarked to Tsze-yu, “My doctrine is that of an all-pervading unity.” When Confucius went out, the other disciples asked what these words meant. Tsze-yu replied, “The doctrine of our master is to be true to the principles of our natures and to exercise them benevolently towards others— this and nothing more.”

9 His disciples listed four things that their Master taught—letters, ethics, devotion of  soul, and truthfulness. They said he was entirely free of four things—foregone conclusions, arbitrary predetermination, obstinacy, and egoism.

10 Frequent themes for Confucius were the Chinese Odes, history, and maintaining rules of propriety. He said, “It is by the Odes that the mind is aroused. It is by the Rules of Propriety that the character is established. And it is from Music that the finish is received.”

11 Confucius said “Without knowing the force of words, it is impossible to know men.” He
remarked that three hundred pieces in the Book of Odes could be summed up in one sentence—“Have
no twisted or depraved thoughts.” Of language itself , he said, “It is simply required that it convey the meaning.”

12 His disciples recall that Confucius did not talk about extraordinary things, feats of  strength, disorder, or spiritual beings. When Tsze-lu asked about serving the spirits of the dead Confucius responded, “While you are not able to serve men, how can you serve their spirits?” Tsze-lu went on, “May I ask about death?”

He received the answer, “While you do not know life, how can you know about death?” Confucius remarked, “The study of strange doctrines is injurious indeed!”

13 The things in reference to which Confucius exercised the greatest caution were—fasting, sickness and war.

14 Tsze-lu asked, “If you had the conduct of the armies of a great State, whom would you have
to act with you?” Confucius replied, “I would not have him to act with me who will unarmed attack
a tiger, or cross a river without a boat, dying without any regret. My associate must be the man
who proceeds to action full of thoughtfulness, who is fond of carefully laying out his plans, and then carries them into execution.”

15 The stable was burned down when Confucius was at court; on his return he asked, “Has any man been hurt?” He did not ask about the horses.

16 When any of his friends died, if he had no relations who could be depended on for the necessary offices, he would say, “I will bury him.” When he saw any one in a mourning dress, his countenance would become grave. When Confucius was eating by the side of a mourner, he never ate to the full. He did not sing on the same day in which he had been weeping.

17 Confucius said of Kung-ye Chang that he could become married: although he was put in bonds, he had not been guilty of any crime. Accordingly, he gave him his own daughter to wife.

18 Confucius valued filial piety. He suggested, “In serving his parents, a son may remonstrate with them, but gently; when he sees that they do not incline to follow his advice, he shows an increased degree of reverence, but does not abandon his purpose; and should they punish him, he does not allow himself to murmur.”

19 He said, “A youth is to be regarded with respect. How do we know that his future will not be equal to our present? If he reach the age of forty or fifty and has not made himself heard of, then indeed he will not be worth being regarded with respect.”

20 The Music-master, Mien, having called upon him, when they came to the steps, Confucius said,
“Here are the steps.” When they came to the mat for the guest to sit on, he said, “Here is the
mat.” When all were seated, he told him, “So and so is here; so and so is there.” The Music-master, Mien, having gone out, Tsze-chang asked saying, “Is it the rule to tell those things to the Music-master?” Confucius replied, “Yes. This is certainly the rule for those who lead the blind.”

21 At one time Confucius was depressed and lamented, “My doctrines make no way. I will get
upon a raft, and float about on the sea. He that will accompany me will be Yu, I dare say”.Yu hearing this was glad.Upon which Confucius observed tartly, “Yu is fonder of daring than I am. He does not exercise his judgment upon such matters.”

22 The Master said, “In letters I am perhaps equal to other men, but the character of the superior man, carrying out in his conduct what he professes, is what I have not yet attained to.”

23 “I will not be afflicted at men's not knowing me; I will be afflicted that I do not know men.”

24 Confucius said, “The sage and the man of perfect virtue—how dare I rank myself with them? It may simply be said of me, that I strive to become such without satiety, and teach others without weariness.”
Kung-hsi Hwa said, “That is just what we disciples cannot imitate in you.”

25 A man of the village of Ta-hsiang scoffed, “Great indeed is the philosopher K'ung! His learning is extensive, and yet he does not render his name famous by any particular thing.”Hearing the gibe, Confucius asked his disciples, “What must I do to please this man? Shall I go in for archery contests? Shall I become a charioteer? That's it, I will take up chariot racing!”

Learning

26 Confucius summed up the importance of knowledge this way, “Those who are born with the possession of knowledge are the highest class of men. Those who learn and readily gain possession of knowledge are the next. Those who are dull and stupid, and yet manage to learn are another class next to these. As to those who are dull and stupid and yet do not learn—they are the lowest of the people.“But”, he warned, “Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.”

27 To Yu he said, “Lack of love of learning is at the heart of six sources of confusion.“There is the love of being benevolent without the love of learning—the confusion here leads to a foolish simplicity. There is the love of knowing without the love of learning—the confusion here leads to dissipation of mind. There is the love of being sincere without the love of learning—the confusion here leads to an injurious disregard of consequences. There is the love of straight­forwardness without the love of learning—the confusion here leads to rudeness. There is the love of boldness without the love of learning—the confusion here leads to insubordination. There is the love of firmness without the love of learning—the confusion here leads to extravagant conduct.”

28 Chi K'ang asked which of the disciples loved to learn. Confucius replied to him, “There was Tsze-yuan. He loved to learn. Unfortunately his appointed time was short, and he died. Now there is no one who loves to learn, as he did.”When Tsze-yuan died, Confucius bewailed him exceedingly, and the disciples who were with him said, “Master, isn't your grief excessive?“Is it excessive?” he asked. “If I am not to mourn bitterly for this man, for whom should I mourn?”

29 The duke of Sheh asked Tsze-lu about Con­fucius, and Tsze-lu did not answer him. Confucius asked, “Why did you not say to him—He is simply a man, who in his eager pursuit of knowledge forgets his food, who in the joy of its attainment forgets his sorrows, and who does not perceive that old age is coming on?”

30 “When I walk along with two others, they may serve me as my teachers. I will select their good qualities and follow them, know their bad qualities and avoid them.”

31 “When we see men of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see men of a contrary haracter, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.”

32 He said, “There may be those who act without knowing why. I do not do so. Hearing much, selecting what is good and following it; seeing much and keeping it in memory—this is the style of knowledge I prefer.”

33 Tsai Yu being asleep during the day time, Confucius observed, “Rotten wood cannot be carved;
a wall of dirty earth will not receive the trowel. This Yu! —what is the use of my reproving him?
At first, my way with men was to hear their words and give them credit for their conduct. Now my
way is to hear their words and look at their conduct. It is from Yu that I have learned to make this change.”

Confucius Biography

"The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones"

Men's natures are alike, it is their habits that carry them far apart.

http://www.confucius.org/
 
Confucius was a wise sage who sought to educate his fellow citizens on the ancient wisdom of moral precepts.


He was born around 551BC to a modest family. His father was a soldier and his mother educated him in the ancient ceremonies, poetry, music and etiquette of the ancient courts. Confucius was fascinated with these moral and cultural precepts known as 'Li' However, he was born in a time of religious and cultural decline. The great Chou dynasty was in decline and it was being replaced by petty fiefdoms fighting for supremacy.

After the death of his mother, Confucius spent 3 years in seclusion and bereavement; this enabled him to focus on his philosophic ideals. On the end of his period of seclusion, he became a teacher, teaching people from all classes in the ancient arts of Li. Confucius soon became the acknowledged expert in the art of Li and he became chief sage to the Duke of Lu. However, the duke of Lu was expelled from his city by a revolt of ministers. Confucius followed him into exile and spent the next 14 years perfection the ancient codes of conduct and morality.

Confucius did not claim miracles or any divinity, but had great faith in the power of education, respect of the past, righteous conduct, and reform of corrupt practises.

Benjamin Franklin

Scientific Achievements of Benjamin Franklin



"A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body. "

"Absence sharpens love, presence strengthens it. "



Science experiments were a hobby of Franklin. This led to the:

•Franklin stove - a mechanism for distributing heat throughout a room.
•The famous kite and key in the thunderstorm. This proved that lightening and electricity were one and the same thing.
•He was the first person to give electricity positive and negative charges
•The first flexible urinary catheter
•Glass harmonica
•Bifocal glasses.

Franklin never patented his inventions, preferring to offer them freely for the benefit of society. As he wrote:

"... as we enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others, we should be glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours; and this we should do freely and generously."

Benjamin Franklin was a scientist, ambassador, philosopher, statesmen, writer, businessman and celebrated free thinker and wit. He has often been referred to as 'America's renaissance man' and was emblematic of the fledgling American nation




Benjamin Franklin was born January 17, 1706 into a large poor family. His father had 17 children by 2 different wives. Benjamin was brought up in the family business of candlemaking and his brother's printing shop. Whenever he could Benjamin would take the opportunity to read and learn about a wide range of subjects from Sophocles to modern science. Whilst co workers would take a leisurely lunch break, Benjamin Franklin would pour over books from the bookshop munching on some raisins.



At an early age, he also started writing articles, which were published in the New England Coureant under a pseudonym. Franklin wrote under pseudonym's throughout his life. After several were published, he admitted to his father that he had wrote them. Rather than being pleased his father beat him for his impudence. Therefore, aged 17, the young Benjamin left the family business and travelled to Philadelphia.



In Philadelphia, Benjamin's reputation as an acerbic man of letters grew. His writings were both humorous and satirical, but, they also raised the fears of the Pennslyvania governor, William Keith. William Keith was fearful of Benjamin's talents so offered him a job in England with all expenses paid. Benjamin took the offer, but, once in England the governor deserted Franklin, leaving him with no funds.



Benjamin Franklin frequently found himself in awkward situations, but, his natural resourcefulness and determination always overcame difficult odds. Benjamin found a job at a printers in London. Here he was known as the "water American" as he preferred to drink water rather than the usual 6 pints of beer daily. Franklin remarked there was 'more nourishment in a pennyworth of bread than in a quart of beer.



In 1726, a Quaker Merchant, Mr Denham offered him a position in Philadelphia. Franklin accepted and sailed back to the US.



On his journey home, Benjamin wrote a list of 13 virtues he thought important for his future life. Amongst these were temperance, frugality, sincerity, justice and tranquility. He originally had 12, but, since a friend remarked he had great pride, he added a 13th - humility (Imitate Jesus and Socrates)



Virtues of Benjamin Franklin

1. "TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation."

2. "SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation."

3. "ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time."

4. "RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve."

5. "FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing."

6. "INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions."

7. "SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly."

8. "JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty."

9. "MODERATION. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve."

10. "CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation."

11. "TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable."

12. "CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation."

13. "HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates."



Franklin sought to cultivate these virtues throughout the remainder of life. His approach to self improvement lasted throughout his life.



Back in America, Franklin had many successful endeavours in Business, jounalism, science and statesman ship.





Benjamin Franklin as Ambassador

Franlkin was chosen as an ambassador to England in the dispute over taxes. For 5 years he held conferences with political leaders as well as continuing his scientific experiments and musical studies.



Later on Franklin played a key role in warning the British government over the dangers of taxing the American colonies. In a contest of wills, Franklin was instrumental in encouraging the British Parliament to revoke the hated Stamp Act. However, this reversal was to be short lived. And when further taxes were issued, Franklin declared himself a supporter of the new American independence movement.



In 1775, he returned to America in conflict. He was one of the 5 representatives chosen to draw up the American declaration of Independence with Thomas Jefferson as author.





Franklin was chosen to be America's ambassador to France, were he worked hard to gain the support of the French in America's war effort. During his time in French society, Franklin was widely admired, and his portrait hung in many houses.



At the age of 75, the newly formed US government beseeched Franklin to be America's representative in signing a peace treaty with Great Britain which was signed in 1783.



He was finally replaced as French ambassador by Thomas Jefferson, who paid tribute to his enormous capacity Jefferson remarked " I succeed him; no one can replace him."