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[8 Aug. 1956] Dear Folks: Once again we are trying the trick of parallel letter writing. If we both tell you some of the same things, you will at least get the benefit of two points of view. On the old subject of stopping smoking, I am afraid that I was influenced in that direction more by sinus trouble than by asceticism. I don't have too high a regard for what might be called "pure" asceticism - giving up pleasures for the joy of giving them up. However, I do believe strongly in applied asceticism, which is giving up pleasures which are liable, in the long run, to give much more pain than pleasure. The effect of a wet spring in my sinuses made this almost the case in the short run.