He should have made many mistakes and been saved often by the skin of his
teeth, for the skin of one’s teeth is the most teaching thing about one.
He should have been, or at any rate believed himself, a great fool and a
great criminal. He should have cut himself adrift from society, and yet
not be without society. He should have given up all, even Christ
himself, for Christ’s sake. He should be above fear or love or hate, and
yet know them extremely well. He should have lost all save a small
competence and know what a vantage ground it is to be an outcast.
Destruction and Death say they have heard the fame of Wisdom with their
ears, and the philosopher must have been close up to these if he too
would hear it.