When a man lets go of his ego, all the virtues come submissively to his feet. If he can let it go only for a little while, they too will stay only a little while; but if he can make the parting permanent, then the virtues are his forever. But this is a high and uncommon state, for it is a kind of death few will accept.

-- Notebooks Category 6: Emotions and Ethics > Chapter 1: Uplift Character > # 454