We should try to teach the young people values that are useful to them whether they become professional athletes or not.
Every human being should be taught that his first duty is to take care of himself, and that to be self-respecting he must be self-supporting. To live on the labor of others, either by force which enslaves, or by cunning which robs, or by borrowing or begging, is wholly dishonorable. Every man should be taught some useful art.
DIY skills are hot. The ability to put up a shelf and hang a picture is always good and being able to cook. Cooking's really hot.
Broaden yourself. You don't have to focus when you're 20. I think the broader you are, the better it is. Later you can focus on your real interests and ideas. The ultimate goal is to be an interesting, useful, wholesome person. If you're successful on top of that, then you're way ahead of everybody.
My opinion with respect to immigration is, that except of useful mechanics and some particular description of men and professions, there is no use of encouragement.
Learning how to get a point across is pretty useful in any situation.
People do not inquire concerning a Stranger, What is he? but What can he do? If he has any useful art, he is welcome, and if he exercises it, and behaves well, he will be respected by all that know him; but a mere Man of Quality, who on that account, wants to live upon the Public, by some Office or Salary, who will be despised and disregarded.
In a pamphlet for potential immigrants to America:
I don't like to be negative about math because it really teaches you a lot of great things. You kind of use math every day.
I grew up in East Germany, so we had to learn Russian in school... everybody hated it. I never thought it would come in handy... And being an actor, I've been able to use it quite a bit.
Much can be learned in play that will afterwards be of use when the circumstances demand it.
A great many people now reading and writing would be better employed keeping rabbits.
A lot of time, the characters I've played in the past kind of come out in me in situations when it's very useful.
She had observed that the more education they got, the less they could do. Their father had gone to a one-room schoolhouse through the eighth grade and he could do anything.
Not only do I know how to milk a cow, but I know how to herd a bunch of cows, too, which is a life skill that I think may come in handy someday.
Think about it: If you don't have any actual, tangible skills, then how can you do anything? You may be laughing and nodding, but do you realize how few people, when asked the basic question, 'What can you do?' stumble on the answer and have nothing to say? Most people.
Games I do find interesting for what they say about us, about what we wish for, about the programming. But let it stop there: don't listen to this rubbish about them actually being good for you, helping with hand-eye co-ordination or whatever. They're games. They prepare you for nothing.
The acquisition however perfectly of skills is not an end in itself. They are things to be put to use as a contribution to a common and shared life.
Statistically and emotionally, I believe that the way I can be of help to society is by doing what I know and what I've been good at.
My father would always say "learn everything you can and whenever you can, because you never know when it'll come in handy."
A lot can be said for the infinite mercies of God, but the smarts of a good pharmacist, when you get down to it, is worth more.
Can there be any greater reproach than an idle learning? Learn to split wood, at least.