Substance Over Shadow
Illustration★★★When Elihu Root was called into the Roosevelt
cabinet as Secretary of State, an intimate friend wrote
him: “Why not wait three years and get the substance
instead of being the shadow now?”
LABOR DAY 225
Mr. Root wrote back: “I have always thought that
the opportunity to do something worth while is the sub-
stance, and trying to get something was the shadow.”
C. R. Havinghurst, D.D.
The point
When urged to wait for a more prestigious post, Elihu Root replied that the chance to do worthwhile work now is the substance, while merely seeking status is the shadow.
Audience
Adults
Tone
Wise · Instructive
To tell aloud
under a minute · 68 words