"The highest activity a human being can attain is learning for understanding, because to understand is to be free."
"If the way which I have pointed out as leading to this result (i.e., power over the emotions by which the wise man surpasses the ignorant man) seems exceedingly hard, it may nevertheless be discovered. Needs must it be hard, since it is so seldom found. How would it be possible, if salvation were ready to our hand, and could without great labour be found, that it should be by almost all men neglected? But all things excellent are as difficult as they are rare."
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Source: Ethics pt. 5 (1677) (translation by Edwin Curley)
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