The Lesson
1899-1902 -- Boer War
Let us admit it fairly, as a business people should,
We have had no end of a lesson: it will do us no end of good.
Not on a single issue, or in one direction or twain,
But conclusively, comprehensively, and several times and
again,
Were all our most holy illusions knocked higher than Gilde-
roy's kite.
We have had a jolly good lesson, and it serves us jolly well
right !
This was not bestowed us under the trees, nor yet in the shade
of a tent,
But swingingly, over eleven degrees of a bare brown conti-
nent.
From Lamberts to Delagoa Bay, and from Pietersburg to
Sutherland,
Fell the phenomenal lesson we learned-with a fullness ac-
corded no other land.
It was our fault, and our very great fault, and not the judg-
ment of Heaven.
We made an Army in our own image, on an island nine by
seven,
Which faithfully mirrored its makers' ideals, equipment, and
mental attitude--
And so we got our lesson: and we ought to accept it with
gratitude.
We have spent two hundred million pounds to prove the fact
once more,
That horses are quicker than men afoot, since two and two
make four;
And horses have four legs, and men have two legs, and two
into four goes twice,
And nothing over except our lesson--and very cheap at the
price.
For remember (this our children shall know: we are too near
for that knowledge)
Not our mere astonied camps, but Council and Creed and
College--
All the obese, unchallenged old things that stifle and overlie
us--
Have felt the effects of the lesson we got-an advantage no
money could by us!
Then let us develop this marvellous asset which we alone
command,
And which, it may subsequently transpire, will be worth as
much as the Rand.
Let us approach this pivotal fact in a humble yet hopeful
mood--
We have had no end of a lesson, it will do us no end of good!
It was our fault, and our very great fault--and now we must
turn it to use.
We have forty million reasons for failure, but not a single
excuse.
So the more we work and the less we talk the better results
we shall get--
We have had an Imperial lesson; it may make us an Empire
yet!
poem by Rudyard Kipling
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Related quotes
It Ain't None of My Business?
It 'ain't' none of my business?
Wrong!
If I'm qualified for you to dump,
Issue upon issue on me.
Bring up what you call 'facts'...
That I am not there for you,
When you need me?
You say I am not sensitive enough,
To understand your 'pain'.
And I am not man enough...
Because I have one job and not two?
To take care of your wants and needs?
While you go behind my back,
And screw a dude or 'whatever' you do?
And I'm suppose to please you...
So your friends can understand,
How good of a man I am?
If I am good enough to tolerate your nonsense,
Day and night...
At times jeopardizing my peace?
Trying to do things right!
Guess what?
EVERYTHING you do 'is' my business!
And then you want to call the police on me...
Because YOU have driven me to the brink!
And your version of reality,
Is the only version they hear and choose to see?
Guess what?
EVERYTHING you do 'is' my business!
And as long as I feel it is?
It will be!
Now I want you to tell everybody I said that.
And when they begin to start paying a bill in this house...
Listening to you complain about this and that,
And witness me put up with your daily crap?
Trust me...
They will help me validate without hesitation,
You are not nearly half of the mate you should be!
Not for me!
EVERYTHING you do is my business.
If I say that it is!
Including who you sleep with...
In our bed that is neither hers or his.
Can you hear what I said?
EVERYTHING you do is my business!
Including who you sleep with...
In our bed!
It 'ain't' none of my business?
I can't believe that's what you said!
Wrong!
EVERYTHING you do is my business.
You certainly ought to be grateful...
One of us is not dead!
You have no idea how much of your business,
Is not even yours.
People know what is going on,
As if we live behind glass walls...
And have no curtains or doors!
The neighbors even believe...
I should leave you to feed my own needs.
That's the conversations they are having!
While you are here on your knees,
Pleasing 'whoever'...
When you should be praying,
That I haven't lost my sanity!
It 'ain't' none of my business?
You have proven yourself to be pointless,
Mindless 'and' common 'senseless'!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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A brave Field Cornet
From a hillock
two Boer commandoes
ride into an English camp
and a few of the British are shot,
a lot are caught
and most flee away.
In the direction of the Tuli river
the enemy are followed in haste
where they join comrades
driving a ox wagon
and the Boers are marksmen
and the English flee again
to find shelter in a farmhouse.
The house is shot to pieces
and for the third time on one day
the British flee again
and the next day,
the Boer commando captures nine wagons
with food and ammunition.
The day following Boer scouts
find an abandoned enemy camp
with burned out fires,
tents, horses and mules
and see a big cloud of dust
coming along in their direction.
There’s a Field Cornet
that does not ride away,
while two Boer commandos
escapes to safety.
At dusk Jacobus Potgieter
finds more men with a canon
set on a hillock
and with just more than twenty men,
he prepares
to give resistance to a huge enemy force.
The darker the night gets,
the nearer the cloud of dust comes
and Jacobus Potgieter and his men
are ready to shoot killing shots
and to let no Englishmen past them
and there’s a rambling sound,
but no enemy appear
and they are invaded
by a swarm of locusts.
[Reference: The “JJ Potgieter manuscript.” Second Anglo-Boer war. Boer commando= A group of Boer farmers in a citizen force militia under a Commandant (Lieutenant-Colonel) .]
poem by Gert Strydom
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So many people bare their midriffs, I don't know why mine is such an issue.
quote by Shania Twain
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Just the omission of Jane Austen's books alone would make a fairly good library out of a library that hadn't a book in it.
quote by Mark Twain
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Love Is Our Business
Dont' need a vacation to get work off our minds
Me and my baby we beg for overtime
We'd stay on the clock 'round the clock if we could
Love is our business and business is good
Love is our business and business is booming
It don't seem like work 'cause we love what we're doing
Satisfaction guaranteed and that's understanding
Love is our business and business is good
We keep climbing higher on the ladder of success
Who'd want to retire with benefits like this
Don't even close on Christmas even though we know we should
Love is our business and business is good
Love is our business and business is booming
It don't seem like work 'cause we love what we're doing
Satisfaction guaranteed and that's understanding
Love is our business and business is good
Yeah, love is our business and business is booming
It don't seem like work 'cause we love what we're doing
Satisfaction guaranteed and that's understanding
Love is our business and business is good
Satisfaction guaranteed and that's understanding
Love is our business and business is good
song performed by by John Michael Montgomery
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Prophesy is a good line of business, but it is full of risks.
quote by Mark Twain
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Jimmy
Jimmy
It started out with a few misfortunes
His daddy ran off with some broad from the motown
When momma said we're leavin tomorrow
Jimmy already had his things together
So many days of thinking of the past
The girl he left behind and hangin out in the
free streets
Somehow Jimmy had survived his reflections
The broken glass in his hands, a noose before him
Said he did it before
He's gonna do it again
Give him a fix and a bottle and he won't complain
Until he's blue in the face
Jimmy's the leader of a losin' race
Hey Jimmy did you learn your lesson
You always know what you were missin'
Hey Jimmy did you solve the problem
Just a kid with no direction
Some people say it was fright that drove him
But Jimmy knows who's really scared of difference
The whipping boy won't take his beating
It only left them alone to their thinking
Of how he knew what they could never know
And he would live and learn to be himself
through his mistakes
Watch and laugh, pretend they were okay
Waiting for things to change is just another day
Said he did it before
He's gonna do it again
Give him a fix or a bottle and he won't complain
Until he's blue in the face
Jimmy's the leader of a losing race
Hey Jimmy did you learn your lesson
You always knew what you were missin'
Hey Jimmy did you solve the problem
Just a kid with no direction
Hey Jimmy don't you walk away
We'll look at life according to me
You're my life support auto biography
Hey Jimmy take a look inside
Let's take a chance, enjoy the ride
Impressions don't die
No one knew your story
Hey Jimmy did you learn you lesson
You always knew what you were missin' (Jimmy)
Hey Jimmy did you solve the problem
Just a kid with no direction (Jimmy)
Hey Jimmy did you learn your lesson
You always knew what you were missin' (Jimmy)
Hey Jimmy did you solve the problem
Just a kid with no direction (Jimmy)
Hey Jimmy now your free
song performed by by 1208
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Hetuaght me a lesson
He said he was going to
teach me a lesson.
I needed to no some things.
The lesson was rape.
But he said it was a game.
He said I had to learn sometime.
When he'd finished.
He smiled and said.
This happens to
Stupid little girls
All the time.
I was only teaching you a lesson.
If it was a lesson to learn
It was one well tuaght.
Be weary of who you trust.
For you never can
Read people like a book.
If you could
The world would be safe.
It was a lesson hard learned.
One that still remains today.
Its a lesson that effects me still.
I only wish I could
Of turned and run.
Only when your young
Like that you dont
Really understand.
If I did
I would of ran.
A thousand miles a way.
Out of reach.
And out of harms way.
poem by Amy Louise Kerswell
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For Those Who Are Wise
for those who are wise
are the very first to admit
they do not know much
just a little pinch of salt
to taste,
for those who are young
they do not talk about age at all
for those who are healthy
the medicine is not an issue
for those who are rich
money is not an issue
for those who are intelligent
the I.Q. is a taboo
for those who speak much
their inside is hollow
for those who listen much
everything is taken as such
for those who are dying
life becomes the most precious thing
for those who are fooled
to honesty must be glued.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
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It's the No.1 issue with people I talk to, whether Republican, Democrat or independent. They want to see the way business is done in Washington change.
quote by Francine Busby
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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3 Leaf Loser
BITING THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU
LYING TO THE VOICE INSIDE
REACH OUT TO BEG FOR SOMETHING
THIS LIFE IS A LESSON
TAKE WHAT YOU'RE GIVEN
FEEDING ON SELF DESTRUCTION
WAITING TO EXPLODE AGAIN
NO SIGN OF RESOLUTION
THIS LIFE IS A LESSON
TAKE WHAT YOU'RE GIVEN
YOU DON'T NEED DIRECTION TO FIND YOUR WAY
DON'T YOU LISTEN TO YOURSELF NOW AND AGAIN
KILLING TIME
KILLING YOUR MIND OVER MATTER
STOP AND LISTEN TO YOURSELF NOW
BEND ME BEFORE I BREAK DOWN
DYING TO BE FREE WITHIN
IT'S NOT HOW YOU'D LIKE TO SEE IT
THIS LIFE IS A LESSON
TAKE WHAT YOU'RE GIVEN
FORCING YOUR SELF SOLUTION AS YOU FALL INTO LINE AGAIN
WHEN WILL I FIND THE ANSWERS
THIS LIFE IS A LESSON
TAKE WHAT YOU'RE GIVEN
YOU DON'T NEED DIRECTOIN TO FIND YOUR WAY
DON'T YOU LISTEN TO YOURSELF NOW AND AGAIN
KILLING TIME
KILLING YOUR MIND OVER MATTER
STOP AND LISTEN TO YOURSELF NOW
FALLING TO THE GROUND
LEFT FACE DOWN AS I RECALL THE MIRROR'S UGLY GLARE
(REPEAT 3X)
YOU DON'T NEED DIRECTION TO FIND YOUR WAY
DON'T YOU LISTEN TO YOURSELF NOW AND AGAIN
KILLING TIME
KILLING YOUR MIND OVER AMTTER
STOP AND LISTEN TO YOURSELF NOW
song performed by by 12 Stones
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Used To Be Bad
I used to be bad
But I dont have to be bad no more
Yeah, I used to be bad
But I dont have to be bad no more
Well aint no doubt about it, people
Its something you cant ignore
Well, I aint good looking
People, you know Ive been up on a shelf
Yes, I know I aint good looking
And Ive been put up on the shelf
But I got a sweet disposition
I like to enjoy myself
I used to be bad
But I dont have to be bad no more
Yeah, I used to be bad
But I dont have to be bad no more
You know I learned my lesson
A long, long time ago
Well, no matter what you say
No matter what you do
Youve got one life to live
Its gonna come back home to you
I used to be bad
But I dont have to be bad no more
Yeah, people, I learned my lesson
A long, long time ago
The good lord made this world
And everything thats in it
The way I see it, baby
You got to love it to the limit
Oh yes, now people
Its something you cant ignore
Yes I used to be bad
But I aint gonna be bad no more
Well, the way you treat me darling
Made me understand
Never quit you baby
Im gonna love you to the end.
Yeah, I used to be bad
But I aint gonna be bad no more
Yes, I learned my lesson
A long, long time ago
Yes, I learned my lesson
A long, long time ago
Yes, I learned my lesson
Youre gonna reap just what you sow
song performed by by Paul McCartney
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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I cannot call to mind a single instance where I have ever been irreverent, except toward the things which were sacred to other people.
quote by Mark Twain
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Look What The Good People Done
They were drinkin his wine
They were usin his name
They were takin the time to take
His name in vain
Look what the good people done to him
Look what the good people done to him
They were havin their fun
Look what the good people done
Well, the good people say things that they
Dont really mean
They look so convincing cause theyre
So squeaky clean
Look what the good people done to him
Look what the good people done to him
Its a million to one
Look what the good people done
They (? put him on walkin down ? ), they said,
Lets go on with the show
And they pad him on whiskey and say, boy,
Youve got to go
Look what the good people done to him
Look what the good people done to him
Hes (? on the highway ? ) to none
Look what the good people done
All the newspaper men
They were lookin for names
Pulled him out of a hat
They needed someone to blame
Look what the good people done to him
Look what the good people done to him
He thought he was the one
Look what the good people done
Well, the good people say,
Keep your nose to the ground
Then theyll build you right up
Just to knock you right down
Look what the good people done to you
Look what the good people done to you
They were gettin their kicks
Look what the good people nixed
[spoken - here we go]
Look what the good people done to me
Look what the good people done to me
Look what the good people done to me
Look what the good people done to me
They were havin no fun
Look what the good people done
song performed by by Van Morrison
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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In religion and politics people's beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second-hand, and without examination, from authorities who have not themselves examined the questions at issue but have taken them at second-hand from other non-examiners, whose opinions about them were not worth a brass farthing.
quote by Mark Twain
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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People Ain't No Good
People just ain't no good
I think that's welll understood
You can see it everywhere you look
People just ain't no good
We were married under cherry trees
Under blossom we made pour vows
All the blossoms come sailing down
Through the streets and through the playgrounds
The sun would stream on the sheets
Awoken by the morning bird
We'd buy the Sunday newspapers
And never read a single word
People they ain't no good
People they ain't no good
People they ain't no good
Seasons came
song performed by by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds from The Boatman's Call
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Eagerly It Should Be Greeted
Acknowledging that one's nose,
Is attached where it is on one's face...
Should be incentive enough,
Not to attempt to place it...
In the business of others.
Just like ears and lips!
To maximize their purpose for good use...
Some people often learn too late,
What belongs to them seldom flaps in the wind.
And what should be separated to respect.
Is not to be set loose for idle gossip to inspect.
There is nothing like being taught a good lesson,
That corrects misunderstandings!
Come late in life or not...
Eagerly it should be greeted,
With a hope that it stays!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Single Is Fair
Single
I am single
Question of double
Does not arise.
I am single
Only single.
Single sun
Single moon
Single earth
Single air
Single sky
Sngle water
Single fire
Single soul
Single body
All are there
All are fair.
Single is single
Single is beautiful
Single is fair.
poem by Gajanan Mishra
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I cannot call to mind a single instance where I have ever been irreverent, except toward the things which were sacred to other people.
Mark Twain in Is Shakespeare Dead?
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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How To Survive Without Riches
First,
We must relax.
And begin to breathe...
Slowly.
In with the new.
And out with the old.
In with the new.
And out with the old.
Remember...
There is only one cycle of breath.
Now...
We are all ready,
To learn a lesson about trust.
Let us all close our eyes...
Gently.
Deep breathe...and,
In with the new.
And out with the old.
In we go...
With the new,
AND...
Removed from us,
Is the old!
In with the...
'Hey?
My watch is gone.'
~Where are my shoes?
My wallet is missing.~
'You said,
We are all going to learn a lesson about trust.
Everything has been taken from us.'
Trust!
Has been a lesson...
A major lesson,
All of you have learned today.
~TRUST?
Everything.
Our valuables have been stolen from us.
That's not trust.
That's THEFT! ~
I disagree.
IN with the NEW.
And OUT with the OLD.
There is nothing crooked about that.
And TRUST?
I think you all have learned that lesson.
DO NOT EVER DO IT!
EVER...
AGAIN!
'What about our valuables?
Our things? '
You have all signed contracts,
Stating you come to me...
For lifestyle changes!
And...
You can admit with assessment,
Everyone here has experienced...
Immediate and rapid change.
Have you not?
I will expect all of you back,
For the next session...
BASIC LIVING!
HOW TO SURVIVE WITHOUT RICHES.
And...
STILL FEEL THE GLOW Of LOVE!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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