126: Consider every matter as a tree. Do not concern yourself with the health of the individual leaves but rather the health and harmony of the overall organism. For leaves can rot to the earth and be replaced but once the trunk or roots have been neglected, the entire structure dies. So when we encounter problems don’t look to the immediate effect but rather the cause of it, otherwise we attempt to fix a broken pipe by mopping up the water it spews rather than sealing the offending rupture. We must transcend this fear of personal death (or suffering) so that we might ensure the life of the whole.

127: ‘You are wise! A philosopher! A genius!’

No. I am an imitator of greater men and reader of a few books not often read. I am Arrian, someone who scribes the sage wisdom of a colossus, of the sages. I have skin, blood, a beating heart, the need to shit, urges of the flesh; I am a talking monkey. And if I ever am so bold as to call myself a philosopher you should surly put me to death, for I am a failure who has forgotten his way and is no longer of any use. Do not listen to me for there are wiser men to consider.