“Let’s take a look at what he says about freeing oneself from the influence of others,” said Friedrich, scanning his notes. “That is one of the things Goethe learned from Spinoza. Here’s a relevant passage in Part 4, a section called ‘Of Human Bondage’: ‘When a man is prey to his emotions, he is not his own master, but lies at the mercy of fortune.’ That describes what’s happening to you, Alfred. You’re prey to your emotions, buffeted by waves of anxiety, fear, and self-contempt. Does that sound right?”
