intelligence, never discover the path that leads into themselves,
and are never aware of all that their refuge contains; and yet will
their actions be wholly the same as the actions of those whose
intellect weighs every treasure. There are some who desire only
good, though they know not wherefore they desire it, and have no
suspicion that goodness is the one fixed star of loftiest
consciousness. The inner life begins when the soul becomes good, and
not when the intellect ripens. It is somewhat strange that this
inner life can never be formed out of evil. No inner life is for him
whose soul is bereft of all nobleness. He may have full knowledge of
self; he may know, it may be, wherefore he shuns goodness; and yet
shall he seek in vain for the refuge, the strength, the treasure of
invisible gladness, that form the possessions of him who can
fearlessly enter his heart. For the inward life is built up of a
certain rejoicing of soul; and the soul can never be happy if it
possess not, and love not, something that is pure. It may perhaps
err in its choice, but then even will it be happier than the soul to
which it has never been given to choose.

37. And thus are we truly saving a man if we bring about that he
loves evil somewhat less than he loved it before; for we are helping
that man to construct, deep down in his soul, the refuge where--
against destiny shall brandish her weapons in vain. This refuge is
the monument of consciousness, or, it may be, of love; for love is
nothing but consciousness, still vaguely in search of itself; and
veritable consciousness nothing but love that at last has emerged
from the shadow. And it is in the deepest recess of this refuge that
the soul shall kindle the wondrous fire of her joy. And this joy of
the soul is like unto no other joy; and even as material fire will
chase away deadly disease from the earth, so will the joy of the