Taming the tongue is not...
Illustration
Taming the tongue is not an easy task. Speaking unkindly can have far-reaching consequences, including driving an individual into an unplanned line of work. That may have been the case with Ansel Adams, who eventually became a famous photographic artist. In his early years Adams gave promise of becoming an accomplished pianist. On one occasion he played at a party where he performed Chopin's "F Major Noctourne." For some reason unknown to him, he got started in a pattern from which he found himself unable to break free. His right hand played in F-sharp major while the left played in F major. Consequently, the entire noctourne was performed with the hands separated by a half-step. The next day, an individual who had been present at the party, confronted Adams with the acerbic comment, masquerading as a compliment: "Congratulations! You never missed a wrong note."
-- Sherer
-- Sherer
