Idea Ripper // ArchiveCards: 1555 [Live] | Updated: 2026-10-14
Card #c1171IR // #c1171Synthesis

"his father was accustomed to set him up at table to practise speaking extempore; and he early accustomed him to repeat as much of the Sunday's sermon as he could remember."

— In our words · Source: Self-Help (Samuel Smiles)

[Use when]

You want to build a skill like recall or quick replies and are waiting for talent to show up.

[Why it matters]

Smiles calls Peel's natural powers "mediocre." The weekly drill built the recall he later used to answer opponents point by point in Parliament.

Filed under situations:When you’re building the thing, not just planning it

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Same situation, different book

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