Then
what is the answer? ˗ Not to be deluded by dreams.
To
know that great civilizations have broken down into violence,
and
their tyrants come, many times before.
When
open violence appears, to avoid it with honor or choose
the
least ugly faction; these evils are essential.
To
keep one’s own integrity, be merciful and uncorrupted
and
not wish for evil; and not be duped
By
dreams of universal justice or happiness. These dreams will
not
be fulfilled.
To
know this, and know that however ugly the parts appear
the
whole remains beautiful. A severed hand
Is
an ugly thing, and man dissevered from the earth and stars
and
his history … for contemplation or in fact …
Often
appears atrociously ugly. Integrity is wholeness,
the
greatest beauty is
Organic
wholeness, the wholeness of life and things,
the
divine beauty of the universe. Love that, not man
Apart
from that, or else you will share man’s pitiful confusions,
or
drown in despair when his days darken.
