There are three crucial ideas in this four-sentence letter that left me sleepless for days. First, Alexander confirms to us that an exclusive piece of knowledge exists; second, that those who possess it have an edge over those who do not (‘what is there now that we excel others in…’); and finally third, perhaps the most amazing part of this letter, is the fact that Alexander tells to his tutor that he would rather excel in this knowledge than ‘in the extent of my power and dominion’.