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.

Most of our so-called reasoning consists in finding arguments for going on believing as we already do.

Most of our so-called reasoning consists in finding arguments for going on believing as we already do.

Once the people begin to reason, all is lost

Once the people begin to reason, all is lost

It is not necessary to retain facts that we may reason concerning
them.
[Fr., Il n'est pas necessaire read more

It is not necessary to retain facts that we may reason concerning
them.
[Fr., Il n'est pas necessaire de tenir les choses pour en
raisonner.]

Reason, however able, cool at best,
Cares not for service, or but serves when prest,
Stays till read more

Reason, however able, cool at best,
Cares not for service, or but serves when prest,
Stays till we call, and then not often near.

Eloquence may set fire to reason.

Eloquence may set fire to reason.

Reason has never failed men. Only force and repression have made the wrecks in the world.

Reason has never failed men. Only force and repression have made the wrecks in the world.

You have ravished me away by a Power I cannot resist; and yet I
could resist till I saw read more

You have ravished me away by a Power I cannot resist; and yet I
could resist till I saw you; and even since I have seen you I
endeavored often "to reason against the reasons of my Love."

But all was false and hollow; though his tongue
Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear
read more

But all was false and hollow; though his tongue
Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear
The better reason, to perplex and dash
Maturest counsels.