Quote of the Week: Canoeing Words of Wisdom

We found this plaque at Prairie Portage, an entry point and border crossing into Quetico Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada.

For those who have difficulty reading the plaque, the text is reproduced below.

CANOEING - WORDS OF WISDOM

QUETICO - SUPERIOR AREA

“You should be prompt in embarking and disembarking.  Do not carry either water or sand into the canoe.  It is not wise to ask too many questions nor should you yield to the itch for making comments about the journey, a habit which may be cultivated to an excess.  Silence is a safe and discreet plenishing.  Should there be a need of criticism, let it be conducted modestly.

“ In brief, it is well to be cheerful, or at any rate to appear so.  Everyone at the portage should try to carry something according to his strength, be it only a kettle.  For example, do not begin paddling if you are not prepared to continue paddling.  Stick to your place in the canoe.  Be assured that if once you are set down as a trouble maker and difficult person, you will not easily get rid of such a reputation.

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The instructions of Father Le Jeune (in 1650) to young Jesuit missionaries on the handling of a canoe and behavior en route are as applicable today as they were 300 years ago.