This text reflects on the formation of the author's intellectual heritage, focusing primarily on the influence of Emanuel Rádl and T. G. Masaryk. The author describes how, between 1942 and 1943 while transcribing Rádl's "Consolation from Philosophy," he was unexpectedly moved by his thought. This encounter allowed him to better understand Masaryk's work and sparked his interest in the broader implications of Masaryk's concept of truth within the context of Czech philosophy. Although the author studied numerous other domestic and international thinkers over the years, Rádl's "peculiar" mode of thinking remained a constant and decisive source of inspiration for him. Rádl served not merely as a theoretical model but as a guide through critical life and intellectual junctures. The result of this lifelong commitment to Rádl's legacy was the adoption of a specific outsider role. This reflection provides insight into the formation of the author's philosophical identity and his conscious alignment with a particular tradition of Czech critical thought.