by Henry David Thoreau
The good how can we trust?
Only the wise are just.
The good we use,
The wise we cannot choose.
These there are none above;
The good they know & love,
But are not known again
By those of lesser ken. —
They do not charm us with their eyes,
But they transfix with their advice.
No partial sympathy they feel,
With private woe or private weal,
But with the Universe joy & sigh,
Whose knowledge is their sympathy.
Last updated January 14, 2019