heaven less discriminating than a horse jockey?




LIII.

THE "SMART" PERSON.

Next to a steam calliope preserve me from a "smart" person. There is
as much difference between smartness and brain as there is between a
jewsharp and a flute, or between mustard and wine. A "smart" person
may turn off a lot of work and make things hum, so does a buzz-saw!
Who would not rather spend an afternoon with a lark than with a hornet?
The lark may not be so active, but activity is not always the most
desirable thing in the world. A smart person may accomplish more than
a dreamer, but in the long run I'll take my chance with the latter.
When we go up to St. Peter's gate by and by, after life's long,
blundering march is over, it will not be the answer to such questions
as this: "How many socks can you darn in an afternoon, besides baking
bread, washing windows, tending babies and scrubbing floors?" that is
going to help us; but, "How many times have you stopped your work to
bind up a broken heart, or say a comforting word, or help carry a
burden for somebody worse off than yourself?" I tell you, smart folks
never have the time to be sympathetic; they always have too much
thundering work on hand.