While in public life Conkling always attracted attention by his abilities, his keenness and eloquence in debate, his aggressive leadership and his striking personality.
But he writes with keenness and wit, and knows well how to use the materials already often taken advantage of by earlier deists.
Hence the aim of education was to make young people thoroughly " Greek," to fill them with the " Greek " spirit, with courage and keenness in the quest of truth, and with a devotion to all that was beautiful.
By other methods of treatment, known to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and others, but now forgotten, it could be hardened and formed into knife and razor edges of the utmost keenness.
Proof of this is the ability and keenness of ducks to revert to a largely aquatic lifestyle when given the opportunity.