When Jesse his twenty-firsr birthday, he celebrated the occasion by reveling to his father that he had finally achieved his greatest youthful ambition. He had accomplished a feat which no learned professer would admit to be possibility. He had fulled a dream which certainly must appear inconceivable. He had taxed the human brain until it supported the world and yet remained sane.
With tireless, unceasing, rentless effort--- with diligent application that demanded wearisome hours and aching days---with a determination that would recognize neither diviation nor despair---Jesse memorized a complete encycopedia.....fifty volumes, page by page, chapter by chapter, subject by subject letter by letter, all in order, all in form, systematically and without error.
With a precision foreign to the ordinary mortal, Jesse recorded in his brain over fifteen million words. He could recite them, sentence by sentence, at will whenever he chose. He could refer to any given subject, with lightning rapidity and deliver a complete treatise with scientific perfection . He had made a store --house, an index, a movie, a record, and a library of his mind.
He had embalmed the world's knowledge within his head; said Jesse, as he looked proudly at his greyhaired parent, there's nothing that i do not know. Science logic, philosophy, religion, dialectics, physcics, phycology----i have commitied everything. I have learned everything; therefore, nothing puzzles me. I know the meaning of life, its mysteries, its thuths, its inconsistencies.
All that has been written, all that has been discovered, all that been studied----I know and bring forth at will." "Its truly an amazing achievement," the old man agreed. Knowing all then, it will no doubt be easy for you to bring happiness to my aged heart. I seek peace, contenment, satisfaction in my declining days. will you explain to me how to gain what i have long sought ?" The boy nodded eagerly.
Now i have completed my work, father, i know the secret of making money. We shall have what our heart desires---all that money can buy, all the material things that give pleasure to our mortal bodies." That will not make me happy," said the old man. Reverence----obedience from your off spring," stated the youth quickly.That i have learned two father. I shall be dutiful and kind and respectful. your will shall be my demand.
I had expected as much from my son," declared the old man. That is not what i am seeking. If its pain , then i know medicine. I can prescribe certain drugs that bring surcease from worldly ills. Theological recitations will bring understanding of our purposes on this earth. What will you have me tell you, father,' I have commited grievious errors in my youth, replied the old man sadly. I cannot forget to be penitent and i despair.
Your knowledge will teach me to avoid future transgressions but it will also teach me how to retrieve what i have lost ?" the understanding of God----"began the youth uncertainly. That understanding is responsible for my penitence, interupted the old man. I do not need to memorize exhaustive encyclopedic writtings to become conscious of mortal thuths. You have assimilated all worldy knowledge; therefore, mortal ill's need no longer exist.
Your neighbor is hungry, but your knowledge will grow enough wheat to feed him. There is misery on all sides of you, but you cannot refer to you mind indices to find any solution foe erasing the sufferings of mankind. You have learned well but can your learing instill within me the desire to learn likewise---- and if so, can you give me the ability ?" There is a limit to knowledge father..."Ah, but that is an admission, my son, which destroys the purpose to our knowledge.
If we are not sure of the end, how can we be sure of the beginning ? Can you plant a seed without knowing wheather it will sprout flower or monstre. There is a limit, my son , excepting in the confession that no limit is possible, You have memorized an encyclopedia. You carry a great deal on your shoulders . You shall perform even greater wonders . Younder a peasant bends under heavy labor his life is hard.He has little time for study of reflection. Yet he looks at you and says honestly; I know naught.' Isn't that the essence of all knowledge ?
The boy stared at his father in wonder. I have studied so many years. I have learned so much!" he exclaimed. And yet ----all my study has been in vain." Not in vain, said the old man softly, if you shall comprehend the indisputable truth; He knows most who knows he knows naught. The pesant who confesses absolute ignorance, the scientist who admits there is more to learn---they are all fellow students in the same class. "ONE LEARNED ABOUT HIS IGNORANCE with books; and one learned without them."
BILL
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