It is the only thing that can save you.

If you go complaining to your mother, as you did with reference to the scorn of you I displayed in my letter to Robbie, so that she may flatter and soothe you back into self-complacency or conceit, you will be completely lost.

If you find one false excuse for yourself you will soon find a hundred, and be just what you were before.

Do you still say, as you said to Robbie in your answer, that I "attribute unworthy motives" to you?
Ah! you had no motives in life.

You had appetites merely.