Can’t Dispute Facts
What does the criticism of others do to our inner self? Take the case of Col.
George Washington Goethals. While contending with the manifold problems of
geography and climate in the building of the Panama Canal, he had to endure the
carping criticism of countless busybodies back home who freely predicted he
would never complete his task. But he pressed steadily forward in his work and
said nothing. “Aren’t you going to answer your critics?” a subordinate inquired.
“In time,” Goethals replied. “How?” The great engineer smiled. “With the canal,”
he said.