This is our chief bane, that we live not according to the light
of reason, but after the fashion read more

This is our chief bane, that we live not according to the light
of reason, but after the fashion of others.
[Lat., Id nobis maxime nocet, quod non ad rationis lumen sed ad
similitudinem aliorum vivimus.]

Reason is a harmonizing, controlling force rather than a creative one.

Reason is a harmonizing, controlling force rather than a creative one.

Before you give up, think of the reason why you held on so long.

Before you give up, think of the reason why you held on so long.

All extremes does perfect reason flee,
And wishes to be wise quite soberly.
[Fr., La parfaite raison read more

All extremes does perfect reason flee,
And wishes to be wise quite soberly.
[Fr., La parfaite raison fuit toute extremite,
Et veut que l'on soit sage avec sobriete.]

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.

Reason can in general do more than blind force.

Reason can in general do more than blind force.

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.

A man always has two reasons for doing anything--a good reason and the real reason.

A man always has two reasons for doing anything--a good reason and the real 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.