"I thought of reviewing the different occupations of men (sic) in this life, with the view of making choice of the best. And, without wishing to offer any remarks on the employments of others, I may state that it was my conviction that I could not do better than continue in that in which I was engaged, viz., in devoting my whole life to the culture of my Reason, and in making the greatest progress I was able in the knowledge of truth, on the principles of the Method which I had prescribed to myself. This Method, from the time I had begun to apply it, had been to me the source of satisfaction so intense as to lead me to believe that more perfect or more innocent could not be enjoyed in this life; and as by its means I daily discovered truths that appeared to me of some importance, and of which other men (sic) were generally ignorant, the gratification thence arising so occupied my mind that I was wholly indifferent to every other object." -René Descartes, Discourse on Method (1637)
“I would rather discover one cause than gain the kingdom of Persia” -Democritus (460-390 BCE)
"Truth will not make us rich, but it will make us free." -Will Durant, The Story of Philosophy (1926)