3.77 hypertextual Piers Plowman? author, author? (53)

Willard McCarty (MCCARTY@VM.EPAS.UTORONTO.CA)
Tue, 30 May 89 20:30:40 EDT


Humanist Discussion Group, Vol. 3, No. 77. Tuesday, 30 May 1989.


(1) Date: Tue, 30 May 89 00:53:24 EDT (6 lines)
From: db <BOYARIN@TAUNIVM.bitnet>
Subject: Re: 3.63 various answers and comments (95)

(2) Date: Tue, 30 May 89 10:50:56 CDT (27 lines)
From: "Kevin L. Cope" <ENCOPE@LSUVM>
Subject: The Final Inch

(1) --------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 30 May 89 00:53:24 EDT
From: db <BOYARIN@TAUNIVM.bitnet>
Subject: Re: 3.63 various answers and comments (95)

I would like more info on hypertext version of Piers Plowman. Does it
work on a PC?
(2) --------------------------------------------------------------32----
Date: Tue, 30 May 89 10:50:56 CDT
From: "Kevin L. Cope" <ENCOPE@LSUVM>
Subject: The Final Inch

I'd appreciate help in identifying the origin of the following passage,
provisionally identified under either the title "The Final Inch" or
"The Rule of the Final Inch." I thank you, as does our athletic department,
which is seeking to attribute this item to its proper author.

THE FINAL INCH

And now listen: The Rule of the Final Inch. The work has been
almost completed, the goal almost attained--but the quality of
the thing is not quite right. In that moment of fatigue and self-satisfaction
it is especially tempting to leave the work without
having attained the apex of quality. In fact, the Rule of the Final
Inch consists in this: not to shirk this critical work, not
to postpone it, and not to mind the time spent on it, knowing
that one's purpose lies not in completing things faster but in the
attainment of perfection.

Major achievement in any field cannot be acocmplished without
discipline, without pain, without self-denial. having the courage to
make choices and abide by them, not to allow them to reign over us.
The ability to say NO to ourselves today for the sake of a better tomorrow,
the capacity to postpone present gratification for future
fulfillment.