Into the Sea

There's a story about a proud young man who came to Socrates asking for knowledge. He walked up to the muscular philosopher and said, "O great Socrates, I come to you for knowledge and wisdom."

Socrates recognized a pompous numbskull when he saw one.

He led the young man through the streets and down into the sea, and chest deep into water. Then he asked, "What do you want?" "Knowledge and wisdom, O wise Socrates," said the young man with a smile. Socrates put his strong hands on the man's shoulders and pushed him under. Thirty seconds later Socrates let him up. "What do you want?" he asked again. "Knowledge and Wisdom," the young man sputtered, "O great and wise Socrates." Socrates crunched him under again. Thirty seconds passed, thirty-five. Forty. Socrates let him up. The man was gasping. "What do you want, young man?" Between heavy, heaving breaths the fellow wheezed, "Knowledge and wisdom, O wise and wonderful..." Socrates jammed him under again Forty seconds passed. Fifty. "What do you want?" "Air!" the young man screeched. "I need air!" "When you want knowledge and wisdom as you have just wanted air, then you will have knowledge and wisdom."

What do you want out of life? Do we need to take a walk down the street and into the sea? Chase your dreams like your life depended on it!

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