Trust the instinct to the end, though you can render no reason

Trust the instinct to the end, though you can render no reason

Reasoning at every step he treads, Man yet mistakes his way, Whilst meaner things, whom instinct leads, Are rarely known read more

Reasoning at every step he treads, Man yet mistakes his way, Whilst meaner things, whom instinct leads, Are rarely known to stray.

A fierce unrest seethes at the core
Of all existing things:
It was the eager wish to read more

A fierce unrest seethes at the core
Of all existing things:
It was the eager wish to soar
That gave the gods their wings.
. . . .
There throbs through all the worlds that are
This heart-beat not and strong,
And shaken systems, star by star,
Awake and glow in song.

Good instincts usually tell you what to do long before your head has figured it out.

Good instincts usually tell you what to do long before your head has figured it out.

But honest instinct comes a volunteer; Sure never to o'er-shoot, but just to hit, While still too wide or short read more

But honest instinct comes a volunteer; Sure never to o'er-shoot, but just to hit, While still too wide or short in human wit.

Instinct is untaught ability.

Instinct is untaught ability.

Telling us to obey instinct is like telling us to obey "people." People say different things: so do instincts. Our read more

Telling us to obey instinct is like telling us to obey "people." People say different things: so do instincts. Our instincts are at war.... Each instinct, if you listen to it, will claim to be gratified at the expense of the rest....

Great thoughts, great feelings, came to them,
Like instincts, unawares.

Great thoughts, great feelings, came to them,
Like instincts, unawares.

How instinct varies in the grov'lling swine,
Compar'd, half-reasoning elephant, with thine!
'Twixt that and reason what read more

How instinct varies in the grov'lling swine,
Compar'd, half-reasoning elephant, with thine!
'Twixt that and reason what a nice barrier!
Forever sep'rate, yet forever near!