A common man marvels at uncommon things. A wise man marvels at the commonplace. CONFUCIUS

Thursday, 13 November 2008

Advice To Pilgrims

That our senses lie and our minds trick us is true, but in general
They are honest rustics; trust them a little;
The senses more than the mind, and your own mind more than another man's.
As to the mind's pilot, intuition -
Catch him clean and stark naked, he is first of truth-tellers; dream-clothed, or dirty
With fears and wishes, he is prince of liars.
The first fear is of death: trust no immortalist. The first desire
Is to be loved: trust no mother's son.
Finally I say let demagogues and world-redeemers babble their emptiness
To empty ears; twice duped is too much.
Walk on gaunt shores and avoid the people; rock and wave are good prophets;
Wise are the wings of the gull, pleasant her song.

ROBINSON JEFFERS (1887-1962)

No comments: