Epigrams Inspired by the Inscriptions in the Library of Congress - III (2009)

    11
“No great thinker ever lived and taught you all the wonder that his soul received.”

The circle is never by straightness proper judged, but rests transcendent magnitudes apart;
Just so we speak through these few feeble shades of what inflames the mind, the soul and heart.

    12
“Dwells within the soul of every artist more than all his effort can express.”

Though fed by love, a melancholy joy enshrouds the artist’s heart,
For though he glimpses visions deep and divine, he still may only see and sing in part.


    13
“Ignorance is the curse of God, knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to heaven.”

Though ignorance may be of many things, the worst of all is that of love,
Which clips the wings of earnest thought from soaring in the realms above.


    14
“Wisdom is the principal thing, therefore get wisdom and with all thy getting get understanding.”

To gain it one must formerly be wise, since lack of it implies one is a fool;
But if a fool, how comes one to obtain it, when fools learn nothing, nor from rod nor school?
Since all are folly-filled in varying supplies, perhaps to simply love it, is already to be wise.


    15
“There is only one good, namely knowledge; there is only one evil, namely ignorance.”

Self-love in the highest captaincy begets a deadly state,
Such lovers cannot breed themselves but universal hate.

Statesman, you must persevere though death may be your prize,
For the few are slaves to tyranny, and the many never wise.