Then, if we are foolish, we are wounded by this discovery, and we draw back into ourselves.

But if we are wise, we draw back into ourselves without being wounded: recognizing as fair and reasonable that people can only have time and attention for their immediate belongings.

Isolated persons have to learn this lesson sooner or later; and the sooner they do learn it, the better." "And you," she asked, "you have learnt this lesson ?" "Long ago," he said decidedly.
"You take a hard view of life," she said.
"Life has not been very bright for me," he answered.

"But I own that I have not cultivated my garden.

And now it is too late: the weeds have sprung up everywhere.