16
“The chief glory of every people arises from its authors.”
What will remain when king and politician, celebrity and athlete pass away?
They live for a crowd that wakes and lives and dies by every day.
No – the great-hearted artist lives not for himself, nor for his hour;
His is an unborn audience, unseen, for whom he exerts his utmost power,
To bear with time the very fruit that time cannot devour.
17
“Books will speak plain when counsellors blanche.”
History is a book which tells of deaf and blind and overreaching pride,
Which dared defy the moral law, subdued the world – and died.
18
“The foundation of every state is the education of its youth.”
Only the most pernicious age could value children upon their cost;
But thus do we, and prove how far our purpose has been lost.
We poured a foundation poorly mixed, with malice and indifference raised;
As all collapses on our heads, if we be cursed – be not amazed.
19
“Glory is acquired by virtue, but preserved by letters”
Treat your writers well: men’s memories are infinitely short,
But words endure; and so your glory pends on their indulgence and report.
20
“Science is organized knowledge”
How infinite is the human mind, whence science has its birth,
Compassing all within its sphere, the systems of the heavens and the earth.
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