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.

Nothing can be lasting when reason does not rule.
[Lat., Nihil potest esse diuturnum cui non subest ratio.]

Nothing can be lasting when reason does not rule.
[Lat., Nihil potest esse diuturnum cui non subest ratio.]

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.]

The heart has reasons that reason cannot know.

The heart has reasons that reason cannot know.

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.

Man has received direct from God only one instrument wherewith to know himself and to know his relation to the read more

Man has received direct from God only one instrument wherewith to know himself and to know his relation to the universe--he has no other--and that instrument is reason.

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

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

The way to see by Faith is to shut the Eye of Reason.

The way to see by Faith is to shut the Eye of Reason.

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.