For as an ambitious man who had just lost his wealth and his honor, or who had suddenly been raised to a position of great dignity that he had not anticipated, Nico/Qs Makbranche would be in no state to resolve metaphysical questions or algebraic equations but only to do the things present passion inspired him to do, so children, in whose brains an apple or a sugarplum makes as deep an impression as do responsibilities and honors in a man of forty, are in no state to hear the abstract truths we teach them.