And neither ought we to be surprised by the affirmation that the consciousness of the Universe is composed and integrated by the consciousnesses of t… - Miguel de Unamuno

Pues decía que cuando uno se casa, si lo hace enamorado de veras, al principio no puede tocar el cuerpo de su mujer sin emberrenchinarse y encenderse en deseo carnal, pero que pasa tiempo, se acostumbra, y llega un día en que lo mismo le es tocar con la mano al muslo desnudo de su mujer que al propio muslo suyo; pero también entonces, si tuvieran que cortarle a su mujer el muslo, le dolería como si le cortasen el propio.

And usually [the philosopher] philosophizes either in order to resign himself to life, or to seek some finality in it, or to distract himself and forget his griefs, or for pastime and amusement.

The most authentic Catholic ethic, monastic asceticism, is an ethic of eschatology, directed to the salvation of the individual soul rather than to the maintenance of society. And in the cult of virginity may there not perhaps be a certain obscure idea that to perpetuate ourselves in others hinders our own personal perpetuation?