To give a reason for anything is to breed a doubt of it.

To give a reason for anything is to breed a doubt of it.

All is but a jest, all dust, all not worth two peason:
For why in man's matters is neither read more

All is but a jest, all dust, all not worth two peason:
For why in man's matters is neither rime nor reason.
[Lat., Omnia sunt risus, sunt pulvis, et omnia nil sunt:
Res hominum cunctae, nam ratione lies.]

He who establishes his argument by noise and command shows that
his reason is weak.

He who establishes his argument by noise and command shows that
his reason is weak.

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 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.

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.

Many are destined to reason wrongly; others, not to reason at all; and others, to persecute those who do reason.

Many are destined to reason wrongly; others, not to reason at all; and others, to persecute those who do reason.

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.

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.