--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Jensen, Nephi collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 24 number: 9 published: 1921-07 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'Jensen, Nephi, "Bits of Philosophy," *Improvement Era* 24, no. 9 (July 1921): 830.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2409unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera2409unse start_page: 830 end_page: 830 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1921-07) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera2409unse publication_year: 1921 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1921, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Bits of Philosophy 830 IMPROVEMENT ERA the place of father, and be able to say with DeWeese in his book, The Bend in the Road: "Show me a boy who is a terror to the neighborhood, who breaks win- dows, destroys property, and seems to delight in wanton lawlessness, and I will show you a boy whose father has never taken time to direct his youth- ful energies into proper channels. Show me a boy who delights in low and mean vices, and I will show you a boy whose father has neglected to play with him, who has never become acquainted with him, and who has allowed the imaginary demands of business and work to keep him out of the con- fidences and companionship of his boy. Show me a boy whose body is stunted and undeveloped, whose mind seeks the low levels of life, and I will show you a boy who has never lived understandingly under the blue sky and green trees. Show me a boy who is neglectful of his home duties, who continually pines to get away from home, and I will show you a boy who does not understand the common things of life, whose father has given him no interest in the work he has daily performed, and has allowed him no share in its planning or its profits." Be he teacher, scout master, auto mechanic, farmer, inspector, or dairyman, these short courses in the college give each one in attendance in a condensed form, inspiration and practical knowledge in his own particular field, and so en- ables him to take it home with him to help to inspire others in the better and more systematic development and handling of their work. Thus it helps to develop the community, the State and the Nation to a higher standard of living. Finally, in closing, let me give one more quotation which I often recall in moments of introspection. It is from one of the Eastern sages who epitomizes his philosophy thus: "He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is a child — teach him. — He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool shun him. — He who knows, and knows not that he knows, is asleep wake him. — He who knows, and knows that he knows, is a leader follow him. Logan, Utah. Bits of Philosophy When there are "ifs," "ands," and "buts" in your way, bif out the "ifs" and butt out the "buts." Do the little things in a big way, then you will be able to do the big things in a bigger way. The way to keep your blessings is to keep on being thankful for them. Praise is the heart's fragrance rising to meet the smile of God. Two supremely great things any one can do: set a soul aflame with living faith and break a heart with godly sorrow for 8m « Nephi Jensen