opening theorie for beginners

Capablanca, when a old man, wrote a book with this diagram

White has played a few extra moves there...

Please don't aim for this position every game. Especially if your opponent makes any attempt whatsoever to control the center. For example, after 1...e5, a Bishop moving to f4 will just be captured.

This only shows the importance of controlling the center, and shows that you should try to develop your pieces to the center. It is the "dream position". It cannot be done practically.

Funny, I've never quite liked it.  I'd rather have one of the bishops on e3/d3.

And he always seemed like such a mellow guy too. 

Yes, me too... I don't like to "extend" both Bishops. If one goes to c4, I prefer to put the other on e3.

Glad to hear somebody else say that.