Sublime

I thank Lucy Rhymer for placing her faith or, rather, hope in me when others thought this was a hopelessly ambitious work and for stepping far beyond her role as acquisition editor to help me draw my wandering gaze back to the reader.

For beings who lack the bodhisattva’s aspiration cannot hear, grasp, memorize, recite, or master this dharma teaching.

There is no greater consolation for mediocrity than that the genius is not immortal.

If I had gained anything, or if my exhortations had been paid, there would have been some sense in my doing so; but now, as you will perceive, not even the impudence of my accusers dares to say that I have ever exacted or sought pay of any one; of that they have no witness. And I have a sufficient witness to the truth of what I say—my poverty.

Some one may wonder why I go about in private giving advice and busying myself with the concerns of others, but do not venture to come forward in public and advise the state. I will tell you why.