Planted by Water

I am your constant companion. I am your greatest helper or your heaviest burden. I will push you onwards or drag you down to failure. I am completely at your command. Half the things you do, you might as well turn over to me and I’ll do them quickly and correctly. I’m easily managed, but you must be firm with me. Show me exactly how you want something done and, after a few lessons, I’ll do it automatically. I’m the servant of all great men and, alas, of all failures as well. Those who are great, I have made great. Those who are failures, I have made failures. I work with the precision of a scientist and the pasion of a patriot. You may run me for profit or run me for ruin; it makes no differnce to me. Take me, train me, be firm with me and I will put the world at your feet. But be easy with me and I’ll destroy you. Who am I?