I have never wished to cater to the crowd; for what I know they do not approve, and what they approve I do not know. All philosophy lies in two words: Sustain and Abstain Freedom is not procured by a full enjoyment of what is desired, but by controlling the desire. Men are disturbed not by things that happen, but by their opinion of the things that happen. Difficulties show men what they are. In case of any difficulty remember that God has pitted you against a rough antagonist that you may be a conqueror, and this cannot be without toil. We must not believe the many, who say that only free people ought to be educated, but we should rather believe the philosophers who say that only the educated are free First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do. No man is free who is not master of himself. A child understands fear and the hurt and hate it brings. A free life cannot acquire many possessions, because this is not easy to do without servility to mobs or monarchs... |