What Percle Said

Percle Arthur was my Grandpaw.

He could say anything and make it sound grumpy, easily. On the rare occasion I spent the night at his house he would open the bedroom door at 4 a.m. and say, “Get out of bed, are you gonna sleep your whole life away?”

I always did. I was a little afraid of him. Not only was I scared of that grumpy, old man, but I had the general idea that he was about as smart as most his age, which is to say not very. I don’t remember the exact quote made by Mark Twain years ago, but like him, I was amazed at how smart the old man had gotten by the time I was grown. How fortunate I feel to have become close friends with him as I grew and before he died.

On another occasion, he told me that he would never pay for water, dirt or air. I can only imagine what he would think now that bottled water costs more than gasoline, there are signs everywhere that say dirt for sale and it costs 75 cents to put air in your tires.

Another of his jewels, “If you throw enough s%^t on the wall, something will stick.” That has become a way of life for me, and its wisdom is timeless. I could never have survived in a small business for years without this small tidbit of information. It has also served me well in my writing. You keep putting it out there and sooner or later someone likes something you have written.

The best one, the one that sticks out, “As soon as you realize you are dealing with an idiot, just shut up. If you argue with an idiot, you will upset yourself. When it is done, you will be upset, and he will still be an idiot.” He finished this one with, “If you find them stupid, leave them stupid.” More wise words I have never heard. This has kept me out of many arguments with idiots over the years. Since idiots are quick to fight, I dare say it has kept me out of a few fights, too.

I only bring all this up because someone else said something to me recently that proves there are still pearls of wisdom out there. You must be paying attention. I do not know who actually deserves the credit for this one, “You can outsmart the smart, but the ignorant will defeat you.” I have noticed how true this is at least two times a day since hearing it. If any of you doubt it, you have never driven in Atlanta.

My grandpaw said many things to me in my lifetime. I am not too sure I paid enough attention to most of it. If I had it to do again, I would listen to every little bit of wisdom he imparted to me. I suggest that if you are lucky enough to have yours, you make it a point to see him as soon as possible.

If you are young he will seem almost too stupid to be in the room with, but listen carefully, he knows what you are going through and where you are going to. He is the man, if you are lucky, that you will become. He is the man who can help you navigate through the impending tough times we are all facing in the immediate future.

So, thank you Percle Arthur for the wisdom you so freely imparted. Thanks for all the times you said things I didn’t like, but needed to hear.