The Word from Duke

Duke Ellington had reassuring words for all of us who have unfinished projects.

According to Terry Teachout, author of a new biography of Ellington, Duke told Louis Armstrong, "As long as something is unfinished, there's always that little feeling of insecurity. And a feeling of insecurity is absolutely necessary unless you're so rich that it doesn't matter."

So leave that half-written novel or symphony on your desk and go play in the lawn sprinkler.