Sunday, July 27, 2008

A Psychology Tip


by Piet Hein

Whenever you're called on to make up your mind,
and you're hampered by not having any,
the best way to solve the dilemma, you'll find,

is simply by spinning a penny.

No - not so that chance shall decide the affair
while you're passively standing there moping;

but the moment the penny is up in the air,

you suddenly know what you're hoping.


Piet Hein (1905-1996) was a Danish scientist, mathematician, inventor, author, and poet in several languages. Talk about your underachievers, eh? He is one of my favorite poets. It's hard to believe that English was not his first language. His poems are full of puns, double entendres, innuendos. His collections are called "Grooks." Read some and enjoy.

No comments: