I wonder if, Nynaeve said, we sometimes put the White Tower -as an institution- before the people we serve. I wonder if we let it become a goal in itself, instead of a means to help us achieve greater goals.Devotion is important, Nynaeve. The White Tower protects and guides the world.And yet, so many of us do it without families, Nynaeve said. Without love, without passion beyond our own particular interests. So even while we try to guide the world, we separate ourselves from it. We risk arrogance, Egwene. We always assume we know best, but risk making ourselves unable to fathom the people we claim to serve.
Nynaeve reflects on whether the White Tower has become more of a goal rather than a means to serve the people it was meant to protect. She questions if the institution has prioritized its own existence over the needs of individuals. This contemplation highlights a potential disconnect between the Tower and the communities it aims to support, suggesting an imbalance in devotion and understanding.
Egwene acknowledges the importance of the White Tower’s role in guiding the world but recognizes that many serve without strong personal connections or passions. Nynaeve warns that this detachment could lead to arrogance, as those in power might presume they know what is best for others, potentially alienating the very people they seek to help. The conversation emphasizes the need for empathy and connection within the structure of the institution.
