In this book Santayana diagnoses himself as a human being who asserts "that there are not good nor bad things in life", although, as Democritus said, "he contradicts himself when he speaks that "there are determinate things that are preferable than others, as, for instance, philosophy, the contemplation of essences, epicureism, Art, and the life of reason based on detachment from all possessions and all material things."

To which the Stranger (i.e. Santayana himself) replies: "Thanks to Democritus I know now myself better than before, and the recognition of an illness is the first step for the cure."

A very imaginative book full of poetic prose and naturalistic gems. Do not miss the last Chapter on "The secret of Aristotle".