Enough to acknowledge both, and both revere;
They see not clearliest who see all things clear.
That is to say, do not think that any human knowledge will ever be able to make you understand the mystery of the universe with its darkness and light, its joy and pain. It is best to revere the powers that make both good and evil, and to remember that the keenest, worldly, practical minds are not the minds that best perceive the great truths and mysteries of existence. Here is another little bit, reminding us somewhat of Goethe’s quatrain, already quoted.
Lives there whom pain hath evermore passed by
And sorrow shunned with an averted eye?
Him do thou pity,—him above the rest,
Him, of all hapless mortals most unblessed.
That needs no commentary, and it contains a large truth in small space. Here is a little bit on the subject of the artist’s ambition, which is also good.
The thousand painful steps at last are trod,
At last the temple’s difficult door we win,