The greatest of all such illusions is the sense of separateness, caused by shutting up the mind in the prison of the senses. This is not a tirade against free inquiry or speculation in general, but against useless learning and misguided speculation. The point insisted on is that right conduct and purity of life are necessary preliminaries to true knowledge. It is easily understood, for example, that an armchair philosopher cannot frame a system which shall guide the toiling man of affairs. Such men can face every situation and adapt themselves to every need.
Clear vision is better than all the groping in the world.