Text 1: "Knowledge is gained by discernment, by examining, by instruction, but not by bathing, nor gifts, nor a hundred holdings of the breath. Success demands first ripeness; questions of time and place are subsidiary."
Response 1: I took this as having to work for what you want. It's like trying to clarify your ultimate concern through the best ways possible and not by taking the easy way out. Taking time to do tasks will help to gain the knowledge that everyone desires. However, I don't think the knowledge referred to here is book smarts, rather its what you know about life and ultimately about God because anyone could examine enough material to have knowledge. Life, on the other hand, takes experiences that need to be examined and clearly seen before coming to a conclusion about it.
Like knowledge success does not come easily. It too needs to be worked for and not mediocrity, rather all energy and time must be consumed. When success arrives is a different matter because there is no set time or place for when it can happen.
Relating this to fair trades, I guess it can mean that fair trades may be slow right now, but in the long run it will pay off and benefit those involved in it. The Artisans currently involved would be better off than they are now if they stay honest and keep the morals they have. From what I got out of this was knowledge is key but it takes a while before all knowledge can be acquired. The same applies with fair trades; if everyone knew about it they'd be more likely to contribute, but not everyone knows what fair trades is that is why it is still not rising as fast as it can.
Text 2: "The raising of the mind above external things; that is true Withdrawal."
Response 2: I think people are too obsessed with material objects these days that they can't see past that. Happiness in today's society for a lot of people derive from getting a good job and money and then consuming high-end products. I compare it with being stuck underwater and not being able to break free. Of course society is to blame for this because that's where the trends start. If more community service and volunteering could be done a change could occur in society. People would be able to "rise above the water" because they'd see what's truly happening and make a difference. Money would be consumed in a better way - donating, for example- instead of buying a material object that would last only temporarily. In contrast, helping someone would last a much longer time on the inside.
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