The Answer - Robinson Jeffers

[Larry Robinson]

The Answer

Then what is the answer? - Not to be deluded by dreams.
To know the 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 peace 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 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.

	- Robinson Jeffers