Samuel Smiles：Thrift, Excerpt 16

The mere material wealth bequeathed to us by our forefathers forms but an insignificant item in the sum of our inheritance. Our birthright is made up of something far more imperishable. It consists of the sum of the useful effects of human skill and labour. These effects were not transmitted by learning, but by teaching and example. One generation taught another, and thus art and handicraft, the knowledge of mechanical appliances and materials, continued to be preserved. The labours and efforts of former generations were thus transmitted by father to son; and they continue to form the natural heritage of the human race--one of the most important instruments of civilization.

Source： https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14418
Locator：Excerpt 16 · Verified：2026-10-19 · Verification：Short excerpt

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