Eternal

My discussion on the value of clinical skill and ability to continue to learn was, however, a trivial matter (or, I dare say, a microscopic consideration of the problem at hand).

The real problem is: What is of an eternal value in our life?

Oh, I'm not considering a religious answer. As a humble man on earth, I discussed this topic previously on several occasions. (For example, see http://ccszeto.blogspot.com/2009/04/blog-post_12.html and the subsequent entries.) In short, although we graduated from the medical school and had so much specialty training, it is never necessary to stick to our own field - or even to continue to be a doctor.

And I have not changed my opinion.

The unfortunate consequence, however, is that some medical graduates give up a clinical job and migrate to other planets. With their special training, these creatures often become the most unbearable beings. As Theodore Roosevelt said: A man who has never gone to school may steal from a freight car; but if he has a university education, he may steal the whole railroad.

PS. It is at least fortunate that Sun Yat-Sen (孫中山) did change. Otherwise he might have been an inconspicuous doctor at the London Chinatown, and we are still half bald and wearing a plait.

PPS. An obsessive historian may argue Sun did not actually lead the Wuchang Uprising (武昌起義). That's true.

He had a university education.