The thick, black, inky strokes of a man who used a fountain pen long after the inventors of ballpoints assumed it had become extinct. Samuel Reuben. My father.

Monday, November 17, 1969

Dear Shelly,

Hand writing makes easy reading. Plato is said to have rewritten the first page of the “REPUBLIC” thirteen times. And a famous Italian painter we are told made three hundred sketches of the head of Antinous before he brought it to his satisfaction. It is better to wear out than to rust out. But though labour is good for man, it may be, and unfortunately often is, carried to excess. Many are wearily asking themselves ~ “ah why should life all labour be?” ~ as was expressed by Tennyson. There is a time for all things, says Solomon, a time for work and a time to play; We shall work all the better for reasonable change, and one reward of work is to secure leisure.

In whatever sphere his duty lies, every person must rely mainly on himself. Others can help us, but we must make out ourself. No one else can see for us. To profit by our advantages we must learn to use for ourselves.

“The dark lantern of the spirit

Which none can see by, but

he who bears it.”

“The reward of a thing well done is

to have done it.”