Nobody can spare themselves the waiting and most will be unable to bear this torment, but will throw themselves with greed back at men, things, and thoughts, whose slaves they will become from then on. Since then it will have been clearly proved that this man is incapable of enduring beyond things, men, and thoughts, and they will hence become his master and he will become their fool, since he cannot be without them, not until even his soul has become a fruitful field. Also he whose soul is a garden, needs things, men, and thoughts, but he is their friend and not their slave and fool.
The quote explores the struggle of individuals with waiting and the torment that often accompanies it. Most people seek relief through attachment to external things, relationships, and thoughts, becoming subservient to these aspects of existence. Their inability to tolerate the discomfort of waiting leads them to become enslaved by these external factors, further losing their autonomy and depth of being. It illustrates a cycle where individuals become foolishly dependent, forsaking their ability to endure and grow beyond the superficial.
In contrast, the passage suggests that those who cultivate their inner selves can form a healthier relationship with the external world. A person whose soul is compared to a garden maintains friendship with things, men, and thoughts, using them to enrich their life rather than dominate it. This perspective emphasizes the importance of internal growth and self-sufficiency, promoting the idea that true fulfillment comes from within, allowing individuals to navigate their lives gracefully without falling prey to the burdens of dependence.
