"Yes, sir. I felt sure of it."
"What is the reason you failed?"
"I don't know. I didn't try, I suppose."
"Yes, you did try, for you kept your promises partially."
"I tried awhile, but I didn't stick to it."
"Very true. Do you remember something Solomon says about searching for wisdom?"
"I don't remember."
"He says, he that would have wisdom must search for her as for silver, and seek her as a man seeks hid treasure. You seek wisdom when you set before you such resolutions as these. Now if a man believes there is gold in a certain place, he keeps digging and digging for weeks, till he strikes the vein. If he were sure it was there, I presume he would labor for it for years. But what if, when he comes to a rock, he should throw down his pick and desert the field? Has he gained anything?"