ManIsLikeaFruitTree--ElmerBobstWhiletakingmyboatdowntheinlandwaterwaytoFloridaafewweeksago,IdecidedtotieupatGeorgetown,SouthCarolina,forthenightandvisitwithanoldfriend.AsweapproachedtheEssodock,Isawhimthroughmybinocularsstandingthereawaitingus.Tallandstraightasanarrowhestood,facingacold,penetratingwind—trulyapictureofasturdyman,eventhoughhisnextbirthdaywillmakehimeighty-two.Yes,themanwasourelderstatesman,BernardBaruch.HeloadedusintohisstationwagonandwewereofftohisfamousHobcawBaronyfordinner.WesatandtalkedinthegreatHYPERLINK"http://www.jj59.com/plus/search/index.asp?keyword=living"\o"生活"\t"_blank"livingroomwheremanynotablesandstatesmen,includingRooseveltandChurchill,havesatandtakentheircues.Inhiseighty-secondyear,stillahumandynamo,Mr.Baruchtalksnotofthepastbutofpresentproblemsandthefuture,deploringourignoranceofhistory,economics,andpsychology.Hisonlyreferencetothepastwastotellme,withawonderfulsparkleinhiseye,thathewasonlyabletogeteightquailoutofthetenshotsthedaybefore.Whatisthesecretofthisgreatman’svaluetotheworldateighty-one?Theanswerishisinsatiabledesiretokeepbeingproductive.Twoofthehardestthingstoaccomplishinthisworldaretoacquirewealthbyhonesteffortand,havinggainedit,tolearnhowtouseitproperly.RecentlyIwalkedintothelockerroomofaratherwell-knowngolfclubafterfinishingaround.Itwasinthelateafternoonandmostofthemembershadleftfortheirhomes.Butahalf-dozenorsomenpastmiddleagewerestillseatedattablestalkingaimlesslyanddrinkingmorethanwasgoodforthem.Thesesamemencanbefoundtheredayafterdayand,strangelyenough,eachoneofthesemenhadbeenamanofaffairsandwealth,successfulinbusinessandrespectedinthecoHYPERLINK"http://www.jj59.com/plus/search/index.asp?keyword=mm"\o"mm"\t"_blank"mmunity.Ifmaterialprosperitywerethechiefrequisiteforhappiness,theneachoneshouldhavebeenhappy.Yet,itseemedtome,somethingveryimportantwasmissing,elsetherewouldnothavebeentheconstantefforttoescapetherealitiesofHYPERLINK"http://www.jj59.com/plus/search/index.asp?keyword=life"\o"生命,生活"\t"_blank"lifethro