If he [Thomas Edison] had a needle to find in a haystack, he would not stop to reason where it was most likely to be, but would proceed at once with the feverish diligence of a bee, to examine straw after straw until he found the object of his search. ... [J]ust a little theory and calculation would have saved him ninety percent of his labor.
Interpretation
This quote illustrates the importance of combining theory with practice to enhance efficiency in problem-solving.
Nikola Tesla describes Thomas Edison's approach to searching for a needle in a haystack as one of relentless labor without using theoretical insights to guide his efforts. While Edison is characterized as industrious and determined, Tesla argues that a deeper understanding and application of theory could have significantly reduced the effort required, thus highlighting the balance between hard work and intelligent planning in achieving success.
In practice
In a motivational speech about hard work and smart planning, one could quote Tesla's perspective to emphasize the importance of efficiency.
Even matter called inorganic, believed to be dead, responds to irritants and gives unmistakable evidence of a living principle within. Everything that exists, organic or inorganic, animated or inert, is susceptible to stimulus from the outside.
Our senses enable us to perceive only a minute portion of the outside world.
Every living being is an engine geared to the wheelwork of the universe. Though seemingly affected only by its immediate surrounding, the sphere of external influence extends to infinite distance.
The history of science shows that theories are perishable. With every new truth that is revealed we get a better understanding of Nature and our conceptions and views are modified.
The Secretary of Hygiene or Physical Culture will be far more important in the cabinet of the President of the United States who holds office in the year 2035 than the Secretary of War.
I am unwilling to accord to some small−minded and jealous individuals the satisfaction of having thwarted my efforts. These men are to me nothing more than microbes of a nasty disease. My project was retarded by laws of nature. The world was not prepared for it. It was too far ahead of time, but the same laws will prevail in the end and make it a triumphal success.
Even after many years, kata practice is never finished, for there is always something new to be learned about executing a movement.
The men who start out with the notion that the world owes them a living generally find that the world pays its 'debt' in the penitentiary or the poor house.
I think people read the tabloids because they want to see you eating a burger, or out of your makeup or doing something stupid because they just want to see that you're like everyone else. And that's okay. I don't want to catch myself anymore saying that my life is hard, because the good far outweighs the bad in my life. And it's easier to focus on those things, on the things that are important.
We must have the stubbornness to accept our gladness in the ruthless furnace of this world.
Beware of those who would use violence, too often it is violence they want and neither truth nor freedom.
I don't care whether the people believe me to be a prophet, seer, or revelator or not - I have been very profitable to this people, and I have seen a good many things, and I have revealed many things.
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