the time. And I found that whatever the exertion might be there was
always some trick or knack, however indescribable, by means of which
the man with a brain could surpass a dolt at _anything_, though the
latter were his equal in strength. But it sometimes happens that the
trick can be taught and even improved on. And it is in all cases
Forethought, even in the lifting of weights or the willing on the
morrow to write a poem.

For this truly weird power--since "the weird sisters" in "Macbeth"
means only the sisters who _foresee_--is, in fact, the energy which
projects itself in some manner, which physiology can as yet only very
weakly explain, and even if the explanation _were_ perfect, it would
amount in fact to no more than showing the machinery of a watch, when
the main object for us is that it should _keep time_, and tell the
hour, as well as exhibit the ingenuity of the maker--which thing is
very much lost sight of, even by many very great thinkers, misled by
the vanity of showing how much they know.

Yes, Foresight or Forethought projects itself in all things, and it is
a serious consideration, or one of such immense value, that when
really understood, and above all subjected to some practice--such as I
have described, and which, as far as I can see, is _necessary_--one
can bring it to bear _intelligently_ on all the actions of life, that
is to say, to _much_ greater advantage than when we use it ignorantly,
just as a genius endowed with strength can do far more with it than an
ignoramus. For there is nothing requiring Thought in which it cannot
aid us. I have alluded to Poetry. Now this does not mean that a man
can become a SHAKESPEARE or SHELLEY by means of all the forethought
and suggestion in the world, but they will, if well developed and
directed, draw out from the mystic depths of mind such talent as he