Mister Ishmael ~
Silence. The great ritual seldom observed. Yet a mighty good thing. Still, withal often uncomfortable, if not practiced regularly. As for the company, having greatmen together in anything particular does not guarantee any level of conversation, as I have noticed the most accomplished men often speak of the most mundane, indeed silly, verse ever uttered. And these men with vitals on their brains would already be engaged in another, albeit more simple yet needed, pursuit. The fact that you were able to see clearly around you, with no charades nor shenanigans, is probably the better feat of the day. For unlike yourself, these men had been here before, had said all that needed to be said, and saw of each other all that could be seen, on or off the water. So what tale would they tell now to others who have already heard and in fact has already done the same or more. Instead they practiced as well as could be practiced the best practice of all, which is of course - silence. The great ritual so seldom profoundly observed.
First only to the second great ritual of only if necessary. Just because another desires something lays nothing on the other to do it. So on the great morning of your second day is the second great ritual so well displayed, do nothing unnecessarily, for more than that would be a waste; and the difference between living and dieing is often in the waste. Waste of materials and supplies surely, but the waste of life energy in the last, the most horrendous and often fatal of the poorest decisions. Spearing across the table with great deft and skill, as Queequeg demonstrated, when walking would have been the polite thing to do, carries no foul. Safe and swift is good, skill can win your life, were polite and hesitation can get you killed. Which would you rather see practiced, Oh Good Reader? Yes, me also. As so eloquently said by one ijil RHG, "Practice makes permanent"*, rather than the more commonly spoken, but truly incorrect, sentiment of "practice makes perfect". If you have practiced incorrectly you have still practiced, but it is not correct, thus not perfect. Practice rightly and speak naught more than is needed, as here in Mister Coffin's parlor. Men are just men throughout most moments of the day; and hungry men are just hungry men.
Trust Your Journey (tm)
~ ijil Rainbow Hawk Giver
* original quote by ijil RHG
