…not quite a hiking article,
but my brother Laurence often walked when others rode…
I grew up with two older brothers, each one smarter than the other. I’ve said to each one, “I smile because you are my brother. I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it.”
This is how they see the world.
Steve, on pairing
Marriage is worth the work and you better plan to work your butt off.
Laurence, on pairing
Women like men who are walking dogs. It makes them easier to talk to.
Steve, on literature
Why read one book when you can read three at a time?
Laurence, on music
In opera, tenors get to strut and dance, display in the lights in tights, and baritones get romance. We basses play gods, kings, priests, and sometimes villains. Villains are fun to play but I’d rather get the girl.
Steve, on principles
If you believe something is the right thing to do, just do it. Even if you get in trouble for it. Maybe especially if you get in trouble for it.
Laurence, on writing
Write it all down, don’t censor yourself, get it out. When you have the idea is not the time to decide if it is valuable. Get it down, you can always edit later.
Steve, on forgiveness
People should get another chance.
Laurence, who has a doctorate in economics
My brother Laurence explained economics to me numerous times. I never understood a word he said. He told me that this puts me in a class with all the other economists.
Steve, on professional life
If you can make a living doing work that really matters to you, you win.
Laurence, on intelligence
You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room. You just have to be smart enough to get everyone else to believe you are the smartest person in the room.
One time Laurence and his friend Doug were hanging around the campfire when a bear emerged from the woods. Laurence calmly sat down on a log and began to put on his sneakers. Doug said, “What are you doing? You can’t outrun a bear!” Laurence said, “Nope. But I can outrun you.”
Steve, on bureaucracy
Bureaucracy is a scourge. If there’s ever any way to get around it, you must get around it.
Steve, who has a doctorate in medicine, on prescriptions
Take this pill and you will get better in one week. Don’t take this pill and you will get better in seven days.
Laurence, on prescriptions
“Take chocolate for your hiccups.” But that doesn’t do any good. “Sure it does,” says Laurence. “If it doesn’t make the hiccups go away, you’ve still got chocolate!”
Laurence, on meeting people
When he first moved to San Francisco, Laurence knew just one person. Fortunately that person invited him to a wedding, a great opportunity to meet new people. Laurence wanted to make an impression, so this is what he did. He arrived at the outdoor wedding of his friend’s friend at Golden Gate Park, wearing a tuxedo and a top hat. He also had a duck on a leash. Mission accomplished. He made an impression.
Steve, on priorities
Sometimes you’ve got to choose between being right and being loved.
Laurence, on life
This is it. Now is the time. There may not be another time for it. What are we waiting for!
Steve, on what it’s all really about
Listening to someone is one of the most powerful ways you can love them.
Laurence, at the end of his life
Well, this has been fun. I’d like to do it again.
No matter what your relationship with your brother, if you have a brother, Dylan Thomas summed it up better than anyone else I’ve ever heard…
It snowed last year too: I made a snowman and my brother knocked it down and I knocked my brother down and then we had tea.
