The person who wants nothing is the only one who is truly free. If your happiness requires a specific outcome, you are a slave to that outcome. If you require a certain amount of praise, you are a slave to the people giving it. True freedom is found by narrowing your "needs" down to your own virtue. When you realize that you have everything you need to be a good person right now, the world loses its power to bribe or threaten you. You aren't just independent; you are invincible.
Remember - even if you win the rat race, you are still a rat.
