Since I dislike being seen as different from who I truly am, I felt it necessary to make myself worthy of the reputation given to me. For the past eight years, this desire has driven me to move away from places where my acquaintances might interrupt me. I came to this country, where the long-lasting war has created such discipline that the armies only seem to serve the purpose of allowing the inhabitants to enjoy peace more securely. Here, among a bustling crowd focused on their own business and not overly interested in others’ affairs, I have been able to live with all the conveniences of the most populous cities, yet as solitary and secluded as if I were in the most remote deserts.

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abandoned

translation (ChatGPT) of

But, as I am of a disposition that makes me unwilling to be esteemed different from what I really am, I thought it necessary to endeavour by all means to render myself worthy of the reputation accorded to me; and it is now exactly eight years since this desire constrained me to remove from all those places where interruption from any of my acquaintances was possible, and betake myself to this country,[^1] in which the long duration of the war has led to the establishment of such discipline, that the armies maintained seem to be of use only in enabling the inhabitants to enjoy more securely the blessings of peace; and where, in the midst of a great crowd actively engaged in business, and more careful of their own affairs than curious about those of others, I have been enabled to live without being deprived of any of the conveniences to be had in the most populous cities, and yet as solitary and as retired as in the midst of the most remote deserts.