- So, although I seemed to live like those who, with no other aim than to spend their lives pleasantly and innocently, focus on separating pleasure from vice and engage in honorable activities to avoid boredom, I was actually pursuing my goal. I made greater progress in understanding the truth than I might have if I had only read books or interacted with scholars.
- And thus, without in appearance living otherwise than those who, with no other occupation than that of spending their lives agreeably and innocently, study to sever pleasure from vice, and who, that they may enjoy their leisure without ennui, have recourse to such pursuits as are honourable, I was nevertheless prosecuting my design, and making greater progress in the knowledge of truth, than I might, perhaps, have made had I been engaged in the perusal of books merely, or in holding converse with men of letters.