A ladder with a hundred rungs exists within the soul;
To climb it on the road to wisdom is your finest goal.
Absorb what happens, good or bad, and build up what you are;
The work of self-enlightenment must be your northern star.
To forge an upward chain of progress is the task to solve,
Thus helping human nature and its culture to evolve.
Yet never turn away because this mountain path is sheer,
But take responsibility with constant inner cheer.
(cf. Untimely Meditations, "Schopenhauer as Educator", §3; Human, All Too Human, Volume I, §25, §33, §292)
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