Pagina 246 de 1391

And yet these opposite elements are all necessary, and therefore,

as we were saying before, the aspirant must be tested in

pleasures and dangers; and also, as we must now further add, in

the highest branches of knowledge. You will remember, that when

we spoke of the virtues mention was made of a longer road, which

you were satisfied to leave unexplored. 'Enough seemed to have

been said.' Enough, my friend; but what is enough while anything

remains wanting? Of all men the guardian must not faint in the

search after truth; he must be prepared to take the longer road,

or he will never reach that higher region which is above the four

virtues; and of the virtues too he must not only get an outline,

but a clear and distinct vision.