Sunday, April 26, 2009

Grandma invited me to join her and Grandpa for supper this evening.

After dessert, Grandpa and I retired to the living room. We had a short conversation that went something like this:

Grandpa: "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing." Do you know who said that?

Me: Um, Churchill?

G: Shakespeare! Can you imagine that someone that many, many, many years ago said something like that? "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing." That's great!

Me: Yep, I know. Sometimes I think that Jesus and Shakespeare are the two smartest guys I've ever met.

G: (with glee) Right-O! You are correct. Jesus and Shakespeare are the two smartest guys I've ever met.

Me: I guess Abe Lincoln was pretty smart, too.

G: You know who else I think is pretty damned smart?

Me: Who?

G: Obama!

Me: I'm surprised you think that. (Guiltily) A lot of people are losing faith in him. Well . . . time will tell.

G: I mean it. Obama is the first president since Eisenhower whom I feel I could truly love. You know what I mean? He's so damned smart!

Me: (Unsure) I guess so. He's definitely smart. (Long pause) Well, I'd better go. I need to work on the Museum newsletter. (Putting on shoes, kissing Grandma.) Bye, Grandma. Bye, Gramps. Thanks for supper. You guys sure take of me. I love you.

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First used by Alexander Pope (1688 - 1744) in An Essay on Criticism, 1709:

"A little learning is a dangerous thing; drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring: there shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, and drinking largely sobers us again."

7 comments:

Charlene said...

Are you losing faith in Obama? :-(

Chris Sand said...

I'm 1/2 pro-Obama and 1/2 loyal opposition. Grandpa's position is less jaded than mine.

Jenny Sand said...

I'm thirsty.

Anonymous said...

I am so biased because I looooovvvee Obama. He is my president forever. I feel his good intentions in my toes. I recently had a warm conversation with an elderly electrician who really likes Obama too. He appreciates Obama's smarts and his efforts to improve our condition as opposed to those stinkpots who just want to cause trouble and stir the pot! Go Granpas and Grandmas!
Jessica

Chris Sand said...

My Mom's mom trusted McCain more than Obama last year. Last week, though, she told my mom, "I think Obama's going to be the best President we've ever had." She's eighty-eight.

Unknown said...

how do we trust a man who appoints someone who bankrupts Fannie Mae as the person to guide the bank bailouts. He and all the other loosers and tax dodgers in Obama's employ should not be allowed anywhere near honest people's money and should be made to repay every dollar that that they were entrusted to handle. Crooks are crooks and you are influenced by the company you keep

Unknown said...

I believe responsible citizens should always play at least 1/2 loyal opposition to politicians. Anything else and you are just asking for it!