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Editorial
November 23, 1918
The Evening Herald
Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico
What is this article about?
Dr. Frank Crane's column 'Platitudes' argues that life's profound discoveries are often timeless platitudes, drawing from humanity's ancient experiences. He praises the freshness of old wisdom from figures like Socrates and Solomon, quoting Goldsmith on the falsity of novelty.
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PLATITUDES
BY DR. FRANK CRANE
(COPYRIGHT) 1918. BY FRANK CRANE
Life's greatest discoveries are platitudes. Some new truth is burned into you. You are all agog with the vistas of your amazing revelation. And then you find it expressed in some old mossy saving you have heard all your life.
The human race is very old, very shrewd, and very experienced. It has known all, felt all, seen all, been through all, that has been your not.
Lovers sighed and turned ballads to their mistress' eyebrow in ancient Babylon. Youth chafed because it could not get a chance, and old age complained of being shelved, when Rameses reigned and Noah was a lad. Innumerable mothers have mourned their dead boys from Eve's day to yours.
The passion that sweeps my soul, the hopes that dance on the screen of my fancy, the bits of philosophy I have turned up as new rare treasures, all have been used a million times, all are old as the rocks at Marblehead, as ancient as the ocean that breaks upon them.
Still, the oldest truths are the freshest. They are rich with the blood of humanity.
As the apple tree in your yard may be a sprout from the apple tree in the Garden of Eden, so the idea that has just come to you may be the same that struck King Solomon.
Thoughts are deciduous, as trees, and appear green and fresh to each generation.
If you would mine in the gold of wisdom, therefore, seek the old fields where all has been said. There lie hidden the richest nuggets. Socrates is fresher than the daily newspaper, and Marcus Aurelius more timely than the latest best seller.
Trite and worn sayings are often like Brazil nuts, hard and rough outside, but full of meat within.
Old phrases that have passed from mind to mind till they are smooth as obsolete coins, if melted in your meditation will be found of pure silver.
"When I was a young man," said Oliver Goldsmith, "being anxious to distinguish myself, I was perpetually starting new propositions. But soon I gave this over; for I found that generally what was new was false."
BY DR. FRANK CRANE
(COPYRIGHT) 1918. BY FRANK CRANE
Life's greatest discoveries are platitudes. Some new truth is burned into you. You are all agog with the vistas of your amazing revelation. And then you find it expressed in some old mossy saving you have heard all your life.
The human race is very old, very shrewd, and very experienced. It has known all, felt all, seen all, been through all, that has been your not.
Lovers sighed and turned ballads to their mistress' eyebrow in ancient Babylon. Youth chafed because it could not get a chance, and old age complained of being shelved, when Rameses reigned and Noah was a lad. Innumerable mothers have mourned their dead boys from Eve's day to yours.
The passion that sweeps my soul, the hopes that dance on the screen of my fancy, the bits of philosophy I have turned up as new rare treasures, all have been used a million times, all are old as the rocks at Marblehead, as ancient as the ocean that breaks upon them.
Still, the oldest truths are the freshest. They are rich with the blood of humanity.
As the apple tree in your yard may be a sprout from the apple tree in the Garden of Eden, so the idea that has just come to you may be the same that struck King Solomon.
Thoughts are deciduous, as trees, and appear green and fresh to each generation.
If you would mine in the gold of wisdom, therefore, seek the old fields where all has been said. There lie hidden the richest nuggets. Socrates is fresher than the daily newspaper, and Marcus Aurelius more timely than the latest best seller.
Trite and worn sayings are often like Brazil nuts, hard and rough outside, but full of meat within.
Old phrases that have passed from mind to mind till they are smooth as obsolete coins, if melted in your meditation will be found of pure silver.
"When I was a young man," said Oliver Goldsmith, "being anxious to distinguish myself, I was perpetually starting new propositions. But soon I gave this over; for I found that generally what was new was false."
What sub-type of article is it?
Moral Or Religious
What keywords are associated?
Platitudes
Ancient Wisdom
Timeless Truths
Human Experience
Philosophy
Moral Insights
What entities or persons were involved?
Dr. Frank Crane
King Solomon
Socrates
Marcus Aurelius
Oliver Goldsmith
Rameses
Noah
Eve
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Value Of Timeless Platitudes And Ancient Wisdom
Stance / Tone
Reflective Appreciation Of Old Truths
Key Figures
Dr. Frank Crane
King Solomon
Socrates
Marcus Aurelius
Oliver Goldsmith
Rameses
Noah
Eve
Key Arguments
Life's Greatest Discoveries Are Often Ancient Platitudes
Humanity Has Experienced All Emotions And Situations Throughout History
Oldest Truths Remain The Freshest And Richest
Seek Wisdom In Old Sayings Rather Than Novelty
Trite Phrases Hold Deep Value Like Hidden Treasures
Novel Ideas Are Often False, As Per Goldsmith