Many people like reading books, from which they can gain enough knowledge without which they can hardly exist in the world. Nevertheless, the world is a great book, of which they that never stir from home read only a page.

    When I was young—maybe at the age of six—my mother, on a holiday, filled my pocket with coppers. I was so glad that I run to a shop in a breath where all sorts of toys were sold. Being charmed with a plane model that I had seen by the way, in the hands of another boy, I handed over all my money for one. After I came home, I played with the plane model all over the house. My father, when I told of the bargain I had made, said that I had spent three times as much as the plane model was worth. He also put me in mind of what good things I might have bought with the rest of the money. Ultimately, I knew how stupid I was. In fact, thinking about the matter gave me more chagrin than the plane model gave me pleasure.

    This, however, was afterwards of use to me, for the impression continued on my mind, so that often, when I was tempted to buy something I did not need, I said to myself, "Don't give too much for a toy", and I saved my money. If I saw someone fond of appearance who had fine clothes, fine houses, fine furniture, all above his fortune, and for which he had run into debt. "Oh", said I, "he has paid too much for a toy".

    In short, what I have understood is that one should not put a false value on things—to give too much for a toy. That could not be found in any book all over the world.