Adam guarantees his own misfortune.

Always surprised by need, he belongs to the wretched clan of outstanding people who so lavishly serve anybody's purpose but their own - Aladdins who lend out their lamps.

Their advice is invaluable, so long as their own interest is not at stake. With them the head acts, the arms hang limp.

Whence their disordered lives, whence the poor regard in which they are held by inferior minds.