What is not, he sees, and what he sees, is not.

He cannot judge of relative values or get the true perspective of things.

The molehill seems to him a mountain and the mountain a molehill, and he jumps at conclusions which he should arrive at by reason.

His mind is upon the stock quotations and not upon the points that require calm thought.

Speculation is a parasite feeding upon values, creating none.
My first important enterprise after settling in New York was undertaking to build a bridge across the Mississippi at Keokuk.[29] Mr.Thomson, president of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and I contracted for the whole structure, foundation, masonry, and superstructure, taking bonds and stocks in payment.