OVER THE PAST WEEK, readers of both sections of the Press have been inundated with page after page of advice to students as they move on to the next phase of their lives.
Year after year, such advice always seems to boil down to “follow your passions” or “aim for the stars”, and while inspiring, such advice doesn’t seem particularly practical. If presented the opportunity, my advice to students would be as follows:
Beware the irrational, however seductive (remember Charlie?). Shun the “transcendent” and all who invite you to subordinate or annihilate yourself. Distrust compassion: prefer dignity for yourself and others. Don’t be afraid to be thought arrogant or selfish. Never be a spectator of unfairness or stupidity. Seek out argument and disputation for their own sake; the grave will supply plenty of time for silence.
Suspect your own motives, and all excuses. Do not live for others anymore than you would expect others to live for you.
– Charles Knighton