| part 1: the things we taught them |
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| when i look back, i often think of all the things we taught our children. we taught them that doing what was quick and convenient was more important than doing what was right, that style is more precious than substance. we taught them that end results matter, not how you get them, and that whether you can matters more than whether you should. we taught them that statistics are more valuable than wisdom, and random facts more valuable than understanding them. we taught them that leadership is about how you look, that you are what you wear and own, not what you do. we taught them that god is whoever we want him to be at the moment, and that immediate gratification matters most of all. they learned it all so quickly it was frightening, for we were excellent teachers - and like all of us, they also learned the hardest possible way that for all things there are unforseen repercussions that are unavoidable and often catastrophic, that whether you like it or not, no matter how you try to avoid it, there is always, always a price to pay for what you do. |
