‘O World’ by George Santayana

“O World”  by George Santayana

George Santayana  1863 – 1952. Philosopher, essayist, poet, and novelist.

O world, thou choosest not the better part!

It is not wisdom to be only wise,

And on the inward vision close the eyes,

But it is wisdom to believe the heart.

Columbus found a world, and had no chart,

Save one that faith deciphered in the skies;

To trust the soul’s invincible surmise

Was all his science and his only art.

Our knowledge is a torch of smoky pine

That lights the pathway but one step ahead

Across a void of mystery and dread.

Bid, then, the tender light of faith to shine

By which alone the mortal heart is led

Unto the thinking of the thought divine.

~

Some Santayana sayings:

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

Bid, then, the tender light of faith to shine by which alone the mortal heart is led unto the thinking of the thought divine.

A man’s feet should be planted in his country, but his eyes should survey the world.

Almost every wise saying has an opposite one, no less wise, to balance it.

By nature’s kindly disposition most questions which it is beyond a man’s power to answer do not occur to him at all.-

Character is the basis of happiness and happiness the sanction of character.

–

FREE eBook: The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Life of Reason, by George Santayana

The Life of Reason eBook by George Santayana is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it,give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net