Hence they have a difficulty in receiving the first element of improvement, which is self-knowledge.

The hopes of youth no longer stir them; they rather wish to rest than to pursue high objects.

A few only who have come across great men and women, or eminent teachers of religion and morality, have received a second life from them, and have lighted a candle from the fire of their genius.
The want of energy is one of the main reasons why so few persons continue to improve in later years.

They have not the will, and do not know the way.

They 'never try an experiment,' or look up a point of interest for themselves; they make no sacrifices for the sake of knowledge; their minds, like their bodies, at a certain age become fixed.