Two angels guide
The path of man, both aged and yet young.
As angels are, ripening through read more

Two angels guide
The path of man, both aged and yet young.
As angels are, ripening through endless years,
On one he leans: some call her Memory,
And some Tradition; and her voice is sweet,
With deep mysterious accords: the other,
Floating above, holds down a lamp with streams
A light divine and searching on the earth,
Compelling eyes and footsteps. Memory yields,
Yet clings with loving check, and shines anew,
Reflecting all the rays of that bright lamp
Our angel Reason holds. We had not walked
But for Tradition; we walk evermore
To higher paths by brightening Reason's lamp.

Who reasons wisely is not therefore wise;
His pride in reasoning, not in acting lies.

Who reasons wisely is not therefore wise;
His pride in reasoning, not in acting lies.

Reason is a supple nymph, and slippery as a fish by nature. She had as leave give her kiss to read more

Reason is a supple nymph, and slippery as a fish by nature. She had as leave give her kiss to an absurdity any day, as to syllogistic truth. The absurdity may turn out truer.

The heart has reasons that reason cannot know.

The heart has reasons that reason cannot know.

There is no reason to repeat bad history.

There is no reason to repeat bad history.

Anger is never without a reason, but seldom with a good one

Anger is never without a reason, but seldom with a good one

Subdue
By force, who reason for their law refuse,
Right reason for their law.

Subdue
By force, who reason for their law refuse,
Right reason for their law.

Setting themselves against reason, as often as reason is against
them.

Setting themselves against reason, as often as reason is against
them.

For comic writers charge Socrates with making the worse appear
the better reason.
[Lat., Nam et Socrati objiciunt read more

For comic writers charge Socrates with making the worse appear
the better reason.
[Lat., Nam et Socrati objiciunt comici, docere eum quomodo
pejorem causam meliorem faciat.]