Say first, of God above or man below,
What can we reason but from what we know?

Say first, of God above or man below,
What can we reason but from what we know?

If we would guide by the light of reason we must let our minds be bold.

If we would guide by the light of reason we must let our minds be bold.

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."

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.]

Reason can in general do more than blind force.

Reason can in general do more than blind force.

Most of us, when all is said and done, like what we like and make up reasons for it afterwards.

Most of us, when all is said and done, like what we like and make up reasons for it afterwards.

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

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

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.

I'll not listen to reason. . . . Reason always means what someone else has got to say.

I'll not listen to reason. . . . Reason always means what someone else has got to say.