“It is not because the truth is too difficult to see that we make mistakes. It may even lie on the surface; but we make mistakes because the easiest and most comfortable course for us is to seek insight where it accords with our emotions — especially selfish ones.”

XII. The origin of evil things; and that there is no positive evil.
On the Gods and the Cosmos
Context: The soul sins therefore because, while aiming at good, it makes mistakes about the good, because it is not primary essence. And we see many things done by the Gods to prevent it from making mistakes and to heal it when it has made them. Arts and sciences, curses and prayers, sacrifices and initiations, laws and constitutions, judgments and punishments, all came into existence for the sake of preventing souls from sinning; and when they are gone forth from the body, Gods and spirits of purification cleanse them of their sins.

Source: Mad Cowboy (1998), Ch. 4: From the Farm to the Capital, pp. 80-81

1900s, The Strenuous Life: Essays and Addresses (1900), National Duties

Source: Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (1895), P. 477.

Source: The Winner Stands Alone

Source: Xenocide

Source: All the Light We Cannot See

Kielich (2002)