And they introduce you to other books, their friends. It is very rare that a wise counsel does not meet with contradiction, and hence it happens constantly in assemblies and at meetings where everyone is anxiously concerned about his own interest, instead of watching over the public weal, that the best men give way to the majority and truth is conquered by numbers. Dying daily and the habitual striving to do away with the horror of that which inspires most men with great fear, is the result of constant meditation. Do not distrust yourself, set to work resolutely. Engraft the new on the old and what you create will be of great value.
Cowards are apt to cling in a servile manner to old customs.
We learn more in the school of experience than we do by reading, though the latter be a shorter road to knowledge, because it takes less time to read much than to learn even a few things by experience. You who cannot find peace nor a safe resting place in the wide world, go and hide within the walls of your chamber, withdraw into your own self and when you are alone be watchful, talk, be silent, walk about, enjoy yourself. Never believe that you are lonely when you are by yourself, when you are with others and even in society, you may be alone. Now I go grieving for the days on earth, which I spent in worship of mortal things, heedless to fledge the spiritual wing, careless to try the measure of my worth.