All we can do is to learn how to do our work, to be
masters of our materials instead of servants, and never to be afraid of
anything.
masters of our materials instead of servants, and never to be afraid of
anything.
Kipling - Poems
"
"That it most certainly is not. You're a work-woman, darling, to your
boot-heels, and I respect you for that. "
"You don't laugh at me behind my back? "
"No, dear. You see, you are more to me than any one else. Put this cloak
thing round you, or you'll get chilled. "
Maisie wrapped herself in the soft marten skins, turning the gray
kangaroo fur to the outside. "This is delicious," she said, rubbing her
chin thoughtfully along the fur.
"Well? Why am I wrong in trying to get a little success? "
"Just because you try. Don't you understand, darling? Good work has
nothing to do with--doesn't belong to--the person who does it. It's put
into him or her from outside. "
"But how does that affect----"
"Wait a minute.
All we can do is to learn how to do our work, to be
masters of our materials instead of servants, and never to be afraid of
anything. "
"I understand that. "
"Everything else comes from outside ourselves. Very good. If we sit down
quietly to work out notions that are sent to us, we may or we may not
do something that isn't bad. A great deal depends on being master of the
bricks and mortar of the trade. But the instant we begin to think
about success and the effect of our work--to play with one eye on the
gallery--we lose power and touch and everything else. At least that's
how I have found it. Instead of being quiet and giving every power
you possess to your work, you're fretting over something which you can
neither help no hinder by a minute. See? "
"It's so easy for you to talk in that way. People like what you do.
Don't you ever think about the gallery? "
"Much too often; but I'm always punished for it by loss of power. It's
as simple as the Rule of Three. If we make light of our work by using
it for our own ends, our work will make light of us, and, as we're the
weaker, we shall suffer.
"That it most certainly is not. You're a work-woman, darling, to your
boot-heels, and I respect you for that. "
"You don't laugh at me behind my back? "
"No, dear. You see, you are more to me than any one else. Put this cloak
thing round you, or you'll get chilled. "
Maisie wrapped herself in the soft marten skins, turning the gray
kangaroo fur to the outside. "This is delicious," she said, rubbing her
chin thoughtfully along the fur.
"Well? Why am I wrong in trying to get a little success? "
"Just because you try. Don't you understand, darling? Good work has
nothing to do with--doesn't belong to--the person who does it. It's put
into him or her from outside. "
"But how does that affect----"
"Wait a minute.
All we can do is to learn how to do our work, to be
masters of our materials instead of servants, and never to be afraid of
anything. "
"I understand that. "
"Everything else comes from outside ourselves. Very good. If we sit down
quietly to work out notions that are sent to us, we may or we may not
do something that isn't bad. A great deal depends on being master of the
bricks and mortar of the trade. But the instant we begin to think
about success and the effect of our work--to play with one eye on the
gallery--we lose power and touch and everything else. At least that's
how I have found it. Instead of being quiet and giving every power
you possess to your work, you're fretting over something which you can
neither help no hinder by a minute. See? "
"It's so easy for you to talk in that way. People like what you do.
Don't you ever think about the gallery? "
"Much too often; but I'm always punished for it by loss of power. It's
as simple as the Rule of Three. If we make light of our work by using
it for our own ends, our work will make light of us, and, as we're the
weaker, we shall suffer.
