From time to time, I receive a friendly email from someone letting me know there is an error in an online interview of Hal. The actual interview reads: A former college professor once told him, “It’s not how much you give away [that matters in life], it’s how much you keep.”
Those emailing me suggest that the quotation should read: “It’s not how much you keep, it’s how much you give away.” What a totally reasonable suggestion since generosity is a great thing. Hal and Norma are obviously generous people and our foundation would be nowhere without the generosity of others.
The professor’s quote, however, is correct as it stands. I remain intrigued and inspired that Hal prefers to focus on what he should keep. It’s really all very organic and natural for him. Instead of thinking in more modern terms like using a Gold Star rated, energy efficient dishwasher, he simply doesn’t have a dishwasher.
Instead of thinking in terms of carbon footprints, he simply thinks in terms of shoes: one pair is plenty.