Nothing is really necessary for us except God. To find God means recollecting our mind in him. And in order better to recollect one’s mind, all superfluous intercourse and friendships as well as unnecessary talk must be cut out; nor should a man desire to learn novelties; but he should rather shun all things by which the mind is distracted, and begin to consider the abyss of his miseries… for in all the world I delight only in two things, namely in knowing God and myself.