The freedom she meant was self-conquest. It was not a natural state. It was meant only for those who would risk everything for it, who were aware that without it life is only appetites until the teeth are gone.”

Light Years, by James Salter

This quote has stayed with me for a very long time. It comes back to me when I start forgetting what matters. 

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on another note,

"I think these little things don't matter, really don't matter any more, and we can do away with them. Our people know that we are in a crisis..." - Minister Ong Ye Kung in an interview on streamlining COVID-19 measures. 

We are indeed.