I had in all human probability existed about half the period which I am to remain in this Sublunary world … I had as yet done but little, very little, indeed, to further the happiness of the human race, or to advance the information of the succeeding generation. I viewed with regret the many hours I have spent in indolence, and now sorely feel the want of that information which those hours would have given me had they been judiciously expended … I resolved in future, to redouble my exertions … to live for mankind, as I have heretofore lived for myself.