Strauss on Philosophy

... to the question "What is philosophy?":

"To philosophize is to be conscious of the absolute transitoriness of all that is human, but at the same time as if one had all eternity at one's disposal, to search for the truth -- with complete calm, without any hurry -- always with urgency, but never hurried -- with the courage for a graceful venture, and constantly prepared to begin from the very beginning."

~Leo Strauss, Note from April 1, 1937