Said one man about the secret of his friend's (a famous and successful literary and political figure): "Genius, deep faith, a colossal work ethic, and, especially as a young man, the ability to learn from — and to use what he learned from — men... , who knew much more than he did."

I like that, the humility and teachableness (if that's a word) of someone who is willing to learn from -- and actually apply the learning -- people who know much more than I do.

It also reminds me of one of my mentor's sayings. He dislikes the phrase, "we stand on the shoulders of giants." He says it sounds humble, but really isn't. It declares that however high the giant's shoulders are, we are higher by virtue of standing on them. He prefers, "we play at the feet of giants." We are, he says, only safe and blessed "to play" in the way we do because of the industry, vision, and sacrifice of those who have gone before us.

Anyway, thoughts I'm thinking today.