Passage 53. Choosing an Occupation Dear sir,
I am very sorry that the pressure of other occupations has prevented me from sending an earlier reply to your letter. In my opinion a man's first duty is to find a way of supporting himself, thereby relieving other people of the necessity of supporting him. Moreover, the learning to do work of practical value in the world,in an exact and careful manner, is of itself a very important education,the effects of which make themselves felt in all other pursuits. The habit of doing that which you do not care about when you would much rather be doing something else, is invaluable. It would have saved me a frightful waste of time if I had ever had it drilled into me in youth. Success in any scientific career requires an unusual equipment of capacity, industry, and energy.