It is like unto a young couple who were thinking about buying a house. They invited their friend, a structural engineer, to walk through the house with them before they made their final decision. Their friend showed up one of his handiest tools: a five-way laser that served as level, square, and plumb bob all at once. (See the picture.)After carefully inspecting every room, the couple was more excited than ever about buying the house. So they eagerly asked their friend to tell them what he thought.
"First," their friend said, "the floor in the dining room isn't level. Also, there is a crack along the top of the wall all the way down the main hallway. The beam that holds up the living room ceiling isn't straight. The wall on the east end of the house is out of true. And the soil has eroded from under the back corner of the house."
The husband and wife were shocked and angry. "Why must you be so negative?" they demanded. "We were so happy, and now you've spoiled it."
Their friend shrugged. "If you didn't want my advice, why did you ask me to come? Do what you like. Only, if you find yourself disappointed later, or even in danger, I'm not to be blamed."Let him hear who has ears. [Thanks to WRS for suggesting this illustration to me.]
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