It would not be worth while to see seventy years if all the wisdom of this world were foolishness with God.
The true is Godlike: we do not see it itself; we must guess at it through its manifestations.
The real scholar learns how to evolve the unknown from the known, and draws near the master.
In the smithy the iron is softened by blowing up the fire, and taking the dross from the bar. As soon as it is purified, it is beaten and pressed, and becomes firm again by the addition of fresh water. The same thing happens to a man at the hands of his teacher.
What belongs to a man, he cannot get rid of, even though he throws it away.