Letter 71

The wise ones of the external wisdoms — all their wisdom is only because of desires. And because of the great multitude of their desire for all the desires — and especially their desire for money — because of this they do not wish to acknowledge the truth: the greatness of the wonders of the true wisdom of the true Tzadik. And so it is with all the wise ones — even the somewhat worthy. And all the somewhat worthy ones — who have not yet entirely sanctified themselves and do not wish to humble themselves before the truly wise one. All their arguments and wisdoms (of foolishness and vanity) in the matter of the opposition and the dispute against the true Tzadik — all of it flows because of desires. Because they have not purified themselves from all the desires — and especially from the desire for money and honor.