It is ironic to observe that, in most cases, freedom does not produce good fruits when, on the other hand, the desire for freedom is one of the most potent propellers of the human spirit. Man, in order to be productive, seems to need a state that prohibits inertia out of simple necessity. And all the affliction that comes from the awareness of one’s own dependence, all the psychological torture that springs from this impossible desire for liberation, seem profitable after all! It is quite true that the time devoted to the necessary always seems more than tolerable; but there is no doubt that the mind used to continuous agitation, which draws its action from dissatisfaction with its circumstances, works more and better simply because it has become more active and vigorous—even if for, say, not very noble reasons.
Productive Afflictions
