"The lethargic mass of unilluminated matter has a certain life and tendencies of its own, which assert themselves when the more active part of the personality is somewhat in abeyance, and that happens more especially when the man himself is not actively using those bodies. These qualities naturally vary with different people, but an intense egotism is almost always prominent. The thoughts and impressions generated by this sluggish kernel are often those of conceit and selfglorification, and also of instinctive self-preservation in the presence of any danger, whether real or imaginary. p. 115"
January 1, 1970
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/The_Masters_and_the_Path