Source: The Alchemist
“All manipulation is just the fear of going straight for what a person wants and needs.”
“Don’t give people what they want, give them what they need.”
“What need is there of suspicious fear”
X, 12
Meditations (c. 121–180 AD), Book X
Context: What need is there of suspicious fear, since it is in thy power to inquire what ought to be done? And if thy seest clear, go by this way content, without turning back: but if thy dost not see clear, stop and take the best advisers. But if any other things oppose thee, go on according to thy powers with due consideration, keeping to that which appears to be just. For it is best to reach this object, and if thou dost fail, let thy failure be in attempting this. He who follows reason in all things is both tranquil and active at the same time, and also cheerful and collected.
“people saw what they wanted to see. They didn't need the Mist to warp their perceptions.”
Variant: But Annabeth knew that people saw what they wanted to see. They didn’t need the Mist to warp their perceptions.
Source: The Mark of Athena
“Man needs what's worst in him in order to achieve what's best in him.”
Source: The Devil and Miss Prym
1990s, Copyleft: Pragmatic Idealism (1998)
Kobos, Andrzej (2012). Po drogach uczonych. 5. Polska Akademia Umiejętności. pp. 317–335. ISBN 978-83-7676-127-5.
