Intelligence flourishes only in the ages when belief withers.
Religion flourishes in greater purity without than with the aid of Government.
Literature flourishes best when it is half a trade and half an art.
Everyone takes pause at 40. It's the age you have to assess everything in your life. It's the fictitious marker that's always coming up when you're young. The world really does look at you to kind of have it together by 40 and be successful by 40. Whatever success means.