In the course of some deep housecleaning my Beautiful Wife came upon a yellowed, ancient newspaper clipping her aged father had clipped years ago. This is timeless wisdom for the ages which we should all be aware of:

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Man comes into this world without his consent and leaves it against his will. During his stay on earth his time is spent in one continuous round of contraries and misunderstandings.

In his infancy he is an angel; in his boyhood, he is a devil; in his manhood he is everything from a lizard up. If he raises a family, he is a chump; if he raises a check he is a thief, and the law raises hell with him.

If he's poor he's a poor manager and has no sense; if he is rich he is dishonest but considered smart; if he is in politics he is a grafter and a crook; if he is out of politics you can't place him--he is an undesirable citizen.

If he goes to church he is a hypocrite; if he stays away he's a sinner. If he donates to foreign missions he does it for show; if he doesn't he is a tightwad. When he first comes into the world everyone wants to kiss him; before he goes out everyone wants to kick him.

If he dies young there was a great future in front of him; if he lives to a ripe old age, he is in the way--only living to save funeral expenses.

Life is a funny proposition after all.

       --Anonymous after all these years.


Dave Oesterreich