DE LEGE LIBELLVM
the force which might have been sufficient to attain emi-
nence in one is wasted on the others: they are null.
Here then let me make open confession, and say thus:
though I pledged myself almost in boyhood to the Great
Work, though to my aid came the most puissant forces in
the whole Universe to hold me to it, though habit itself now
constraineth me in the right direction, yet I have not fulfilled
my Will: I turn aside daily from the appointed task. I
waver. I falter. I lag.
Let this then be of great comfort to you all, that if I be so
imperfect—and for very shame I have not emphasized that
imperfection—if I, the chosen one, still fail, then how easy
for yourselves to surpass me! Or, should you only equal me,
then even so how great attainment should be yours!
Be of good cheer, therefore, since both my failure and my
success are arguments of courage for yourselves.
Search yourselves cunningly, I pray you, analysing your
inmost thoughts. And first you shall discard all those gross
obvious hindrances to your Will: idleness, foolish friend-
ships, waste employments or enjoyments, I will not enumer-
ate the conspirators against the welfare of your State.
Next, find the minimum of daily time which is in good
sooth necessary to your natural life. The rest you shall de-
vote to the True Means of your Attainment. And even these
necessary hours you shall consecrate to the Great Work,
saying consciously always while at these Tasks that you
perform them only in order to preserve your body and mind
in health for the right application to that sublime and single
Object.
It shall not be very long before you come to understand
that such a life is the true Liberty. You will feel distractions
105