file :i* includes ! orig9al illu/ration & decorations4 ,see #caced-;h4htm or #caced-;h4zip3 7https3_/_/www4gut5b]g4org_/ca*e_/epub_/ #caced_/pg#caced-;images4html7 or 7https3_/_/www4gut5b]g4org_/files_/#cace d_/caced-;h4zip7 ,,dea? by ,,maurice ,,maet]l9ck ,translat$ by ,alex&] ,teixeira de ,mattos ,new ,york ,dodd1 ,mead ,company #aiab ,copyright1 #aiaa ,by ,maurice ,maet]l9ck ,publi%$1 ,janu>y1 #aiab ,all rights res]v$ 99 99 99 99 99 ,,! ,,works ,,( ,,maurice ,,maet]l9ck ,,9 ,,uni=m ,,/yle ,,& ,,b9d+ ,,essays ,,! ,,treasure ,,( ,,! ,,humble ,,wisdom ,,& ,,de/9y ,,! ,,life ,,( ,,! ,,bee ,,! ,,buri$ ,,temple ,,! ,,d\ble ,,g>d5 ,,! ,,measure ,,( ,,! ,,h\rs ,,dea? ,,plays ,,si/] ,,beatrice ,,& ,,ardiane ,,& ,,b>be ,,bleue ,,joyzelle ,,& ,,monna ,,vanna ,,! ,,blue ,,bird1 ,a ,,fairy ,,play ,,m>y ,,magdal5e ,p,,ll,,z ,,& ,m,,lis&e1 ,,& ,,o!r ,,plays ,,pr9cess ,,male9e ,,! ,,intrud]1 ,,& ,,o!r ,,plays ,,aglava9e ,,& ,,selysette ,,holiday ,,editions ,! text 9 ea* case is an extract f "o ( ! above m5tion$ books4 ,,our ,,fri5d ,,! ,,dog ,,old-,,fa%ion$ ,,fl[]s ,,! ,,sw>m ,,! ,,intellig5ce ,,( ,,! ,,fl[]s ,,*rysan!mums ,,! ,,leaf ,,( ,,olive ,,?\ghts ,,f ,,maet]l9ck 99 99 99 99 99 ,illu/ration3 ,cam]a ,portrait by ,e4 ,o4 ,hopp1 ,london ,,cont5ts ,,*ap4 ,,page ,i ,,our ,,idea ,,( ,,dea? #c ,,ii ,a ,,primitive ,,idea #e ,,iii ,,we ,,mu/ ,,enlight5 ,,& ,,e/abli% ,,our ,,idea ,,( ,,dea? #aj ,,iv ,,we ,,mu/ ,,rid ,,dea? ,,( ,,t ,,:i* ,,goes ,,be=e #ab ,v ,,! ,,pangs ,,( ,,dea? ,,mu/ ,,be ,,attribut$ ,,to ,,man ,,alone #ad ,,vi ,,! ,,mi/ake ,,( ,,! ,,doctors ,,9 ,,prolong+ ,,! ,,pangs ,,( ,,dea? #ag ,,vii ,,_! ,,argum5ts #ai ,,viii ,,t ,,:i* ,,does ,,n ,,belong ,,to ,,dea? #ba ,,ix ,,! ,,horrors ,,( ,,! ,,grave ,,also ,,d ,,n ,,belong ,,to ,,dea? #be ,x ,,:5 ,,contemplat+ ,,! ,,unkn[n ,,into ,,:i* ,,dea? ,,hurls ,,u1 ,,let ,,u ,,fir/ ,,put ,,religi\s ,,fe>s ,,f ,,our ,,m9ds #bi ,,xi ,,annihilation ,,impossible #cc ,,xii ,,! ,,survival ,,( ,,our ,,consci\sness #cg ,,xiii ,,x ,,seems ,,impossible #ci ,,xiv ,,! ,,same1 ,,cont9u$ #de ,,xv ,,if ,,x ,,7 ,,possible1 ,,x ,,w\ld ,,n ,,be ,,dreadful #dh ,,xvi ,,! ,,survival ,,)\t ,,consci\sness #ea ,,xvii ,,! ,,same1 ,,cont9u$ #ed ,,xviii ,,! ,,limit$ ,,ego ,,w\ld ,,become ,a ,,torture #eg ,,xix ,a ,,new ,,ego ,,c ,,f9d ,a ,,nucleus ,,& ,,develop ,,itself ,,9 ,,inf9ity #fj ,,xx ,,! ,,only ,,sorr[ ,,t ,,c ,,t\* ,,our ,,m9d #fe ,,xxi ,,inf9ity ,,z ,,conceiv$ ,,by ,,our ,,reason #fh ,,xxii ,,inf9ity ,,z ,,p]ceiv$ ,,by ,,our ,,s5ses #ga ,,xxiii ,,:i* ,,( ,,! ,,two ,,%all ,,we ,,"k8 #gd ,,xxiv ,,! ,,inf9ity ,,:i* ,,bo? ,,our ,,reason ,,& ,,our ,,s5ses ,,c ,,admit #gg ,,xxv ,,our ,,fai? ,,9 ,,inf9ity #ha ,,xxvi ,,! ,,same1 ,,cont9u$ #hd ,,xxvii ,,%all ,,we ,,be ,,unhappy ,,!re8 #hg ,,xxviii ,,que/ions ,,)\t ,,answ]s8 #ij ,,xxix ,,! ,,same1 ,,cont9u$ #ie ,,xxx ,,x ,,is ,,n ,,necess>y ,,to ,,answ] ,,!m #ii ,,xxxi ,,ev]y?+ ,,mu/ ,,f9i% ,,exempt ,,f ,,suff]+ #ajb ,,dea? ,i ,,our ,,idea ,,( ,,dea? ,x has be5 well said3 ,dea? & dea? alone is :at we mu/ consult ab\t life2 & n "s vague future or survival1 9 :i* we %all n be pres5t4 ,x is our own end2 & ev]y?+ happ5s 9 ! int]val betwe5 dea? & n[4 ,d n talk to me ( ^? imag9>y prolongations :i* wield ov] u ! *ildi% spell ( numb]2 d n talk to me--to me :o am to die outright--( societies & peoples6 ,!re is no reality1 !re is no true duration1 save t betwe5 ! cradle & ! grave4 ,! re/ is m]e bomba/1 %[1 delusion6 ,!y call me a ma/] because ( "s magic 9 my spee* & ?\ghts2 b ,i am a fright5$ *ild 9 ! pres5ce ( dea?6#a ,footnote #a3 ,m>ie ,l5ru1 ,les ,affran*is1 ,act ,,iii41 ,sc4 iv4 ,,ii ,a ,,primitive ,,idea ,t is :]e we /&4 ,= u1 dea? is ! "o ev5t t c\nts 9 our life & 9 our univ]se4 ,x is ! po9t :]eat all t escapes our vigilance unites & conspires aga9/ our happ9ess4 ,! m our ?\ghts /ruggle to turn away f x1 ! clos] d !y press ar\nd x4 ,! m we dread x1 ! m dreadful x becomes1 = x batt5s b on our fe>s4 ,he :o seeks to =get x burd5s 8 memory ) x2 he :o tries to %un x meets naught else4 ,b1 ?\gh we ?9k ( dea? incessantly1 we d s unconsci\sly1 )\t le>n+ to "k dea?4 ,we compel our att5tion to turn its back ^u x1 in/ead ( go+ to x ) uplift$ head4 ,we exhau/ all our =ces1 :i* ought to face dea? boldly1 9 di/ract+ our w f x4 ,we deliv] dea? into ! dim h&s ( in/9ct & we grant x n "o h\r ( our intellig5ce4 ,is x surpris+ t ! idea ( dea?1 :i* %\ld be ! mo/ p]fect & ! mo/ lum9\s--be+ ! mo/ p]si/5t & ! mo/ inevitable--rema9s ! flimsie/ ( our ideas & ! only "o t is backw>d8 ,h[ %\ld we "k ! "o p[] :i* we nev] look$ 9 ! face8 ,h[ c\ld x pr(it by fla%es k9dl$ only to help u escape x8 ,to fa?om its abysses1 we wait until ! mo/ enfeebl$1 ! mo/ disord]$ mom5ts ( our life arrive4 ,we d n ?9k ( dea? until we h no long] ! /r5g?1 ,i w n say1 to ?9k1 b ev5 to brea!4 ,a man return+ among u f ano!r c5tury w\ld n recognize )\t difficulty1 9 ! dep?s ( a pres5t-day s\l1 ! image ( 8 gods1 ( 8 duty1 ( 8 love or ( 8 univ]se2 b ! figure ( dea?1 :5 ev]y?+ has *ang$ ar\nd x & :5 ev5 t :i* composes x & ^u :i* x re/s has vani%$1 he w\ld f9d almo/ unt\*$1 r\gh-drawn z x 0 by our fa!rs1 hundr$s1 nay1 ?\s&s ( ye>s ago4 ,our intellig5ce1 gr[n s bold & active1 has n work$ ^u ?is figure1 has add$ no s+le t\* to x4 ,?\gh we may no long] believe 9 ! tortures ( ! damn$1 all ! vital cells ( ! mo/ skeptical among u are /ill /eep$ 9 ! appall+ my/]y ( ! ,hebrew ,%eol1 ! pagan ,hades1 or ! ,*ri/ian ,hell4 ,?\gh x may no long] be light$ by v def9ite flames1 ! gulf /ill op5s at ! end ( life1 &1 if less kn[n1 is all ! m =midable4 ,&1 !re=e1 :5 ! imp5d+ h\r /rikes to :i* we d>$ n raise our eyes1 ev]y?+ fails u at ! same "t4 ,^? two or ?ree unc]ta9 ideas :]eon1 )\t exam9+ !m1 we _h meant to lean1 give way l ru%es b5ea? ! weight ( ! la/ mom5ts4 ,9 va9 we seek a refuge among reflections t rave or are /range to u & d n "k ! roads to our he>t4 ,no "o awaits u on ! la/ %ore :]e all is unprep>$1 :]e naught rema9s afoot save t]ror4 ,,iii ,,we ,,mu/ ,,enlight5 ,,& ,,e/abli% ,,our ,,idea ,,( ,,dea? ,x 7 a salut>y ?+ = ea* ( u to "w out 8 idea ( dea? 9 ! light ( 8 days & ! /r5g? ( 8 intellig5ce & to le>n to /& by x4 ,he w\ld say to dea?3 ,i "k n :o y are1 or ,i w\ld be y\r ma/]2 b1 9 days :5 my eyes saw cle>] ?an to-day1 ,i le>nt :at y are n3 t is en\gh to prev5t y f becom+ my ma/]4 ,he w\ld ?us c>ry1 impr9t$ on 8 memory1 a tri$ image aga9/ :i* ! la/ agony w\ld n prevail & 9 :i* ! phantom-/rick5 eyes w\ld take fre% com=t4 ,in/ead ( ! t]rible pray] ( ! dy+1 :i* is ! pray] ( ! dep?s1 he w\ld say 8 own pray]1 t ( ! peaks ( 8 life1 :]e w\ld be ga!r$1 l angels ( peace1 ! mo/ limpid1 ! mo/ pellucid ?\ghts ( 8 life4 ,is n t ! pray] ( pray]s8 ,aft] all1 :at is a true & wor?y pray]1 if n ! mo/ ard5t & dis9t]e/$ ef=t to rea* & grasp ! unkn[n8 ,,iv ,,we ,,mu/ ,,rid ,,dea? ,,( ,,t ,,:i* ,,goes ,,be=e ,! doctors & ! prie/s1 said ,napoleon1 h long be5 mak+ dea? griev\s4 ,let u1 !n1 le>n to look ^u x z x is 9 itself1 free f ! horrors ( matt] & /ripp$ ( ! t]rors ( ! imag9ation4 ,let u fir/ get rid ( all t goes be=e & does n belong to x4 ,?us1 we impute to x ! tortures ( ! la/ illness2 & t is n "r4 ,illnesses h no?+ 9 common ) t :i* ends !m4 ,!y =m "p ( life & n ( dea?4 ,we easily =get ! mo/ cruel suff]+s t re/ore u to heal?2 & ! fir/ sun ( convalesc5ce de/roys ! mo/ unbe>able memories ( ! *amb] ( pa94 ,b let dea? come2 & at once we ov]:elm x ) all ! evil done be=e x4 ,n a te> b is rememb]$ & us$ z a reproa*1 n a cry ( pa9 b becomes a cry ( accusation4 ,dea? alone be>s ! weight ( ! errors ( nature or ! ignorance ( sci5ce t h uselessly prolong$ torm5ts 9 ^: "n we curse dea? because x puts an end to !m4 ,v ,,! ,,pangs ,,( ,,dea? ,,mu/ ,,be ,,attribut$ ,,to ,,man ,,alone ,9 po9t ( fact1 :]eas ! sicknesses belong to nature or to life1 ! agony1 :i* seems peculi> to dea?1 is :olly 9 ! h&s ( m54 ,n[ :at we mo/ dread is ! awful /ruggle at ! end & especially ! hateful mom5t ( rupture :i* we %all p]haps see approa*+ dur+ long h\rs ( helplessness & :i* sudd5ly hurls u1 dis>m$1 ab&on$ & /ripp$1 into an unkn[n t is ! home ( ! only inv9cible t]rors :i* ! human s\l has ev] felt4 ,x is twice unju/ to impute ! torm5ts ( t mom5t to dea?4 ,we %all see pres5tly 9 :at mann] a man ( to-day1 if he w\ld rema9 fai?ful to 8 ideas1 %\ld picture to himself ! unkn[n into :i* dea? fl+s u4 ,let u conf9e ourselves "h to ! la/ /ruggle4 ,z sci5ce progresses1 x prolongs ! agony :i* is ! mo/ dreadful mom5t & ! %>pe/ peak ( human pa9 & horror1 = ! witnesses1 at lea/2 =1 (t51 ! s5sibility ( him :o1 9 ,bossuet's phrase1 is at bay ) dea?1 is already greatly blunt$ & p]ceives no m ?an ! di/ant murmur ( ! suff]+s :i* he seems to be endur+4 ,all ! doctors consid] x _! fir/ duty to protract z long z possible ev5 ! mo/ excruciat+ convulsions ( ! mo/ hopeless agony4 ,:o has n1 at a b$side1 tw5ty times wi%$ & n once d>$ to ?r[ himself at _! feet & implore !m to %[ m]cy8 ,!y are fill$ ) s great a c]ta9ty & ! duty :i* !y obey leaves s little room = ! lea/ d\bt t pity & reason1 bl9d$ by te>s1 curb _! revolt & %r9k back be=e a law :i* all recognize & rev]e z ! highe/ law ( human consci5ce4 ,,vi ,,! ,,mi/ake ,,( ,,! ,,doctors ,,9 ,,prolong+ ,,! ,,pangs ,,( ,,dea? ,"o day1 ?is prejudice w /rike u z b>b>ian4 ,its roots g d[n to ! unackn[l$g$ fe>s left 9 ! he>t by religions t h long s9ce di$ out 9 ! m9d ( m54 ,t is :y ! doctors act z ?\gh !y 7 conv9c$ t !re is no kn[n torture b is pref]able to ^? await+ u 9 ! unkn[n4 ,!y seem p]suad$ t e m9ute ga9$ amid/ ! mo/ intol]able suff]+s is snat*$ f ! incomp>ably m dreadful suff]+s :i* ! my/]ies ( ! h]eaft] res]ve = m52 &1 ( two evils to avoid t :i* !y "k to be imag9>y1 !y *oose ! real "o4 ,besides1 9 ?us po/pon+ ! end ( a torture1 :i*1 z good ,s5eca says1 is ! be/ "p ( t torture1 !y are only yield+ to ! unanim\s error :i* daily /r5g!ns ! circle :]e9 x is conf9$3 ! prolongation ( ! agony increas+ ! horror ( dea?2 & ! horror ( dea? dem&+ ! prolongation ( ! agony4 ,,vii ,,_! ,,argum5ts ,!y1 on _! "p1 say or might say t1 9 ! pres5t /age ( sci5ce1 two or ?ree cases except$1 !re is nev] a c]ta9ty ( dea?4 ,n to support life to its la/ limits1 ev5 at ! co/ ( insupportable torm5ts1 7 p]haps to kill4 ,d\btless !re is n "o *ance 9 a hundr$ ?\s& t ! suff]] escape4 ,no matt]4 ,if t *ance exi/ :i*1 9 ! majority ( cases1 w give b a few days1 or1 at ! utmo/1 a few mon?s ( a life t w n be ! real life1 b mu* r1 z ! ,lat9 said1 an ext5d$ dea?1 ^? hundr$ ?\s& torm5ts w n h be5 9 va94 ,a s+le h\r snat*$ f dea? outweighs a :ole exi/5ce ( tortures4 ,"h are1 face to face1 two values t _c be comp>$2 &1 if we mean to weigh !m 9 ! same balance1 we mu/ heap ! scale :i* we see ) all t rema9s to u1 t is1 ) e imag9able pa91 = at ! decisive h\r ?is is ! only weight :i* c\nts & :i* is heavy en\gh to raise by a few degrees ! o!r scale t dips into :at we d n see & is load$ ) ! ?ick d>kness ( ano!r _w4 ,,viii ,,t ,,:i* ,,does ,,n ,,belong ,,to ,,dea? ,increas$ by s _m adv5titi\s horrors1 ! horror ( dea? becomes su* t1 )\t reason+1 we accept ! doctors' reasons4 ,& yet !re is "o po9t on :i* !y are beg9n+ to yield & to agree4 ,!y are sl[ly cons5t+1 :5 !re is no hope left1 if n to dead51 at lea/ to lull ! la/ agonies4 ,=m]ly1 none ( !m w\ld h d>$ to d s2 &1 ev5 to-day1 _m ( !m hesitate &1 l mis]s1 measure out drop by drop ! clem5cy & peace :i* !y grudge & :i* !y ought to lavi%1 dread+ le/ !y %\ld weak5 ! la/ resi/ance1 t is to say1 ! mo/ useless & pa9ful quiv]+s ( life t does n wi% to give place to ! com+ quiet4 ,x is n = me to decide :e!r _! pity might %[ great] d>+4 ,x is en\gh to /ate once m t all ?is does n conc]n dea?4 ,x happ5s be=e x & bel[ x4 ,x is n ! arrival ( dea?1 b ! dep>ture ( life t is appall+4 ,x is n dea?1 b life t we mu/ act ^u4 ,x is n dea? t attacks life2 x is life t wrongfully resi/s dea?4 ,evils ha/5 up f e side at ! approa* ( dea?1 b n at its call2 &1 ?\gh !y ga!r r\nd x1 !y did n come ) x4 ,d y accuse sleep ( ! fatigue t oppresses y if y d n yield to x8 ,all ^? /ruggl+s1 ^? wait+s1 ^? toss+s1 ^? tragic curs+s are on ?is same side ( ! slope to :i* we cl+ & n on ! o!r side4 ,!y are1 = t matt]1 accid5tal & tempor>y & emanate only f our ignorance4 ,all our k only helps u to die 9 great] pa9 ?an ! animals t "k no?+4 ,a day w come :5 sci5ce w turn aga9/ its error & no long] hesitate to %ort5 our mis=tunes4 ,a day w come :5 x w d>e & act ) c]ta9ty2 :5 life1 gr[n wis]1 w dep>t sil5tly at its h\r1 kn[+ t x has rea*$ its t]m1 ev5 z x )draws sil5tly e ev5+1 kn[+ t its task is done4 ,once ! doctor & ! sick man h le>nt :at !y h to le>n1 !re w be no physical nor metaphysical reason :y ! adv5t ( dea? %\ld n be z salut>y z t ( sleep4 ,p]haps ev51 z !re w be o!r ?+s to consid]1 x w be possible to surr\nd dea? ) deep] delights & fair] dreams4 ,h5ce=?1 9 any case1 once dea? is exon]at$ f all t goes be=e1 x w be easi] to face x )\t fe> & to enlight5 t :i* foll[s aft]4 ,,ix ,,! ,,horrors ,,( ,,! ,,grave ,,also ,,d ,,n ,,belong ,,to ,,dea? ,dea?1 z we usually picture x1 has two t]rors loom+ beh9d x4 ,! fir/ has nei!r face nor %ape & ov]%ad[s ! :ole region ( our m9d2 ! o!r is m def9ite1 m explicit1 b almo/ z p[]ful & /rikes all our s5ses4 ,let u fir/ exam9e ! latt]4 ,ev5 z we impute to dea? all ! evils t prec$e x1 s d we add to ! dread :i* x inspires all t happ5s beyond x1 ?us do+ x ! same inju/ice at its go+ z at its com+4 ,is x dea? t digs our graves & ord]s u to keep !re t :i* 0 made to disappe>8 ,if we _c ?9k )\t horror ( ! fate ( ! belov$ 9 ! grave1 is x dea? or we t plac$ him !re8 ,because dea? c>ries ! _s to "s place unkn[n1 %all we reproa* x ) our be/[al ( ! body :i* x leaves ) u8 ,dea? desc5ds ^u u to take away a life or *ange its =m3 let u judge x by :at x does & n by :at we d be=e x comes & aft] x is gone4 ,& x is already f> away :5 we beg9 ! frightful "w :i* we try h>d to prolong z mu* z we possibly c1 z ?\gh we 7 p]suad$ t x is our only security aga9/ =getfulness4 ,i am well aw>e t1 f any o!r ?an ! human po9t ( view1 ?is proce$+ is v innoxi\s4 ,look$ ^u f a suffici5t height1 decompos+ fle% is no m repulsive ?an a fad+ fl[] or a crumbl+ /one4 ,b1 :5 all is said1 x (f5ds our s5ses1 %ocks our memory1 daunts our c\rage1 :]eas x w\ld be s easy = u to avoid ! hateful te/4 ,purifi$ by fire1 ! memory lives 9 ! heights z a beautiful idea2 & dea? is naught b an immortal bir? cradl$ 9 flames4 ,?is has be5 well und]/ood by ! wise/ & happie/ nations 9 hi/ory4 ,:at happ5s 9 our graves poisons our ?\ghts toge!r ) our bodies4 ,! figure ( dea?1 9 ! imag9ation ( m51 dep5ds be=e all ^u ! =m ( burial2 & ! fun]al rites gov]n n only ! fate ( ^? :o dep>t1 b also ! happ9ess ( ^? :o /ay1 = !y raise 9 ! v backgr\nd ( life ! great image ^u :i* _! eyes l+] 9 consolation or despair4 ,x ,,:5 ,,contemplat+ ,,! ,,unkn[n ,,into ,,:i* ,,dea? ,,hurls ,,u1 ,,let ,,u ,,fir/ ,,put ,,religi\s ,,fe>s ,,f ,,our ,,m9ds ,!re is1 !re=e1 b "o t]ror p>ticul> to dea?3 t ( ! unkn[n into :i* x hurls u4 ,9 fac+ x1 let u n delay 9 putt+ f our m9ds all t ! positive religions h left !re4 ,let u rememb] only t x is n = u to prove t !y are n prov$1 b = !m to e/abli% t !y are true4 ,n[ n "o ( !m br+s u a pro( be=e :i* a c&id intellig5ce c b[4 ,nor w\ld x suffice if t intellig5ce 7 able to b[2 = man lawfully to believe & ?us to limit 8 endless seek+1 ! pro( w\ld ne$ to be irresi/ible4 ,! ,god (f]$ to u by ! be/ & /ronge/ pro( has giv5 u our reason to employ loyally & fully1 t is to say1 to try to atta91 be=e all & 9 all ?+s1 t :i* appe>s to be ! tru?4 ,c ,he exact t we %\ld accept1 9 spite ( x1 a belief ( :i* ! wise/ & ! mo/ ard5t d n1 f ! human po9t ( view1 d5y ! unc]ta9ty8 ,he proposes = our consid]ation a v d\btful /ory :i*1 ev5 if sci5tifically e/abli%$1 w\ld prove no?+ & :i* is buttress$ by prophecies & miracles no less unc]ta94 ,if n by our reason1 by :at !n w\ld ,he h u decide8 ,by usage8 ,by ! accid5ts ( race or bir?1 by "s /hetic or s5tim5tal haz>d8 ,or has ,he set )9 u ano!r high] & sur] faculty be=e :i* ! und]/&+ mu/ yield8 ,if s1 :]e is x8 ,:at is its "n8 ,if t ,god puni%es u = n hav+ bl9dly foll[$ a fai? t does n =ce itself irresi/ibly ^u ! intellig5ce :i* ,he gave u2 if ,he *a/ises u = n hav+ made1 9 ! pres5ce ( ! great enigma ) :i* ,he confronts u1 a *oice :i* condemns ! be/ & mo/ div9e "p ( t :i* ,he has plac$ 9 u1 we h no?+ left to reply3 we are ! dupes ( a cruel & incompreh5sible sport1 we are ! victims ( a t]rible sn>e & an imm5se inju/ice2 &1 :atev] ! torm5ts :]e) ! latt] loads u1 !y w be less intol]able ?an ! et]nal pres5ce ( its ,au?or4 ,,xi ,,annihilation ,,impossible ,"h we /& be=e ! abyss4 ,x is void ( all ! dreams ) :i* our fa!rs peopl$ x4 ,!y ?\ght t !y knew :at 0 !re2 we "k only :at is n !re4 ,x has enl>g$ itself ) all t we h le>nt to "k no?+ (4 ,:ile wait+ = a sci5tific c]ta9ty to break ?r\gh its d>kness--= man has ! "r to hope = t :i* he does n yet conceive--! only po9t t int]e/s u1 because x is situat$ 9 ! little circle :i* our actual intellig5ce traces 9 ! ?icke/ blackness ( ! night1 is to "k :e!r ! unkn[n = :i* we are b\nd w be dreadful or n4 ,outside ! religions1 !re are f\r imag9able solutions & no m3 total annihilation2 survival ) our consci\sness ( to-day2 survival )\t any sort ( consci\sness2 la/ly1 survival ) univ]sal consci\sness diff]5t f t :i* we possess 9 ?is _w4 ,total annihilation is impossible4 ,we are ! prison]s ( an inf9ity )\t outlet1 :]e9 no?+ p]i%es1 :]e9 ev]y?+ is disp]s$1 b no?+ lo/4 ,nei!r a body nor a ?\ght c drop out ( ! univ]se1 out ( "t & space4 ,n an atom ( our fle%1 n a quiv] ( our n]ves w g :]e !y w cease to be1 = !re is no place :]e any?+ ceases to be4 ,! brightness ( a /> ext+ui%$ millions ( ye>s ago /ill w&]s 9 ! e!r :]e our eyes w p]haps behold x ?is v night1 pursu+ its endless road4 ,x is ! same ) all t we see1 z ) all t we d n see4 ,to be able to d away ) a ?+1 t is to say1 to fl+ x into no?+ness1 no?+ness w\ld h to exi/2 &1 if x exi/1 "u :atev] =m1 x is no long] no?+ness4 ,z soon z we try to analyze x1 to def9e x1 or to und]/& x1 ?\ghts & expressions fail u1 or create t :i* !y are /ruggl+ to d5y4 ,x is z contr>y to ! nature ( our reason & probably ( all imag9able reason to conceive no?+ness z to conceive limits to inf9ity4 ,no?+ness1 besides1 is b a negative inf9ity1 a sort ( inf9ity ( d>kness oppos$ to t :i* our intellig5ce /rives to enlight51 or r x is b a *ild-"n or nickname :i* our m9d has be/[$ ^u t :i* x has n attempt$ to embrace1 = we call no?+ness all t :i* escapes our s5ses or our reason & exi/s )\t our k4 ,! m t human ?\ght rises & increases1 ! less compreh5sible does no?+ness become4 ,9 any case--& ?is is :at matt]s "h--if no?+ness 7 possible1 s9ce x c\ld n be any?+ :atev]1 x c\ld n be dreadful4 ,,xii ,,! ,,survival ,,( ,,our ,,consci\sness ,next comes survival ) our consci\sness ( to-day4 ,i h broa*$ ?is "q 9 an essay on ,immortality1#b ( :i* ,i w only reproduce an ess5tial passage1 cont5t+ myself ) support+ x ) a few new consid]ations4 ,footnote #b3 ,?is essay =ms "p ( ! volume publi%$ "u ! title ( ,! ,measure ( ! ,h\rs4--,,translator',s ,,note4 ,:at composes ?is s5se ( ! ego :i* turns ea* ( u into ! c5tre ( ! univ]se1 ! only po9t t matt]s 9 space & "t8 ,is x =m$ ( s5sations ( our body1 or ( ?\ghts indep5d5t ( our body8 ,w\ld our body be consci\s ( itself )\t our m9d8 ,&1 on ! o!r h&1 :at w\ld our m9d be )\t our body8 ,we "k bodies )\t m9d1 b no m9d )\t a body4 ,x is almo/ c]ta9 t an intellect devoid ( s5ses1 devoid ( organs to create & n\ri% x1 exi/s2 b x is impossible to imag9e t ours c\ld ?us exi/ & yet rema9 simil> to t :i* d]iv$ f our s5sibility all t gave x life4 ,,xiii ,,x ,,seems ,,impossible ,?is ego1 z we conceive x :5 we reflect ^u ! consequ5ces ( its de/ruction1 ?is ego is nei!r our m9d nor our body1 s9ce we recognize t bo? are waves t fl[ away & are r5ew$ incessantly4 ,is x an immovable po9t1 :i* c\ld n be =m or sub/ance1 = ^! are always 9 evolution1 nor life1 :i* is ! cause or effect ( =m & sub/ance8 ,9 tru?1 x is impossible = u to appreh5d or def9e x1 to tell :]e x dwells4 ,:5 we try to g back to its la/ s\rce1 we f9d h>dly m ?an a succession ( memories1 a s]ies ( ideas1 confus$1 = t matt]1 & unsettl$1 atta*$ to ! "o in/9ct ( liv+3 a s]ies ( habits ( our s5sibility & ( consci\s or unconsci\s reactions aga9/ ! surr\nd+ ph5om5a4 ,:5 all is said1 ! mo/ /eadfa/ po9t ( t nebula is our memory1 :i* seems1 on ! o!r h&1 to be a some:at ext]nal1 a some:at accessory faculty &1 9 any case1 "o ( ! fraile/ faculties ( our bra91 "o ( ^? :i* disappe> ! mo/ promptly at ! lea/ di/urbance ( our heal?4 ,z an ,engli% poet has v truly said1 t :i* clam\rs al\d = et]nity is ! v "p ( me t w p]i%4 ,x matt]s n3 t unc]ta91 indisc]nible1 fleet+ & prec>i\s ego is s mu* ! c5tre ( our be+1 int]e/s u s exclusively1 t e reality ( our life disappe>s be=e ?is phantom4 ,x is a matt] ( utt] indiff]5ce to u t ?r\gh\t et]nity our body or its sub/ance %\ld "k e joy & e glory1 und]go ! mo/ spl5did & delightful trans=mations1 become fl[]1 p]fume1 beauty1 light1 air1 />2 x is likewise indiff]5t to u t our intellect %\ld exp& until x mixes ) ! life ( ! worlds1 und]/&s & gov]ns x4 ,we are p]suad$ t all ?is w n affect u1 w give u no pleasure1 w n happ5 to ourselves1 unless t memory ( a few almo/ always insignificant facts accompany u & witness ^? unimag9able joys4 ,i c>e n1 says ?is n>r[ ego1 9 its firm resolve to und]/& no?+4 ,i c>e n if ! l(tie/1 ! free/1 ! faire/ portions ( my m9d be et]nally liv+ & radiant 9 ! supreme gladnesses3 !y are no long] m9e2 ,i d n "k !m4 ,dea? has cut ! network ( n]ves or memories t connect$ !m ) ,i "k n :at c5tre :]e9 lies ! s5sitive po9t :i* ,i feel to be all myself4 ,!y are n[ set loose1 float+ 9 space & "t1 & _! fate is z unkn[n to me z t ( ! mo/ di/ant con/ellations4 ,any?+ t occurs exi/s = me only ^u condition t ,i be able to recall x )9 t my/]i\s be+ :i* is ,i "k n :]e & precisely n[h]e1 :i* ,i turn l a mirror ab\t ?is _w ^: ph5om5a take %ape only 9 s f> z !y are reflect$ 9 x4 ,let u !n consid] t all t composes our consci\sness comes fir/ ( all f our body4 ,our m9d does b organize t :i* is suppli$ by our s5ses2 & ev5 ! images & words--:i* 9 reality are b images--by ! aid ( :i* x /rives to te> itself f ^? s5ses & d5y _! sway are borr[$ f !m4 ,h[ c\ld t m9d rema9 :at x 0 :5 !re is no?+ left to x ( t :i* =m$ x8 ,:5 our m9d no long] has a body1 :at %all x c>ry ) x into inf9ity :]eby to recognize itself1 see+ t x kn[s itself only by grace ( t body8 ,a few memories ( a life 9 common8 ,w ^? memories1 :i* 7 already fad+ 9 ?is _w1 suffice to sep>ate x = ev] f ! re/ ( ! univ]se1 9 b\ndless space & 9 unlimit$ "t8 ,,xiv ,,! ,,same1 ,,cont9u$ ,b1 ,i %all be told1 !re is m 9 u ?an ! intellect discov]s4 ,we h _m ?+s )9 u :i* our s5ses h n plac$ !re2 we conta9 a be+ sup]ior to ! "o we "k4 ,t is probable1 nay1 c]ta93 ! %>e occupi$ by unconsci\sness1 t is to say1 by t :i* repres5ts ! univ]se1 is enorm\s & prepond]ant4 ,b h[ %all ! ego :i* we "k & ^: de/9y alone conc]ns u recognize all ^? ?+s & t sup]ior be+ :om x has nev] kn[n8 ,:at w x d 9 ! pres5ce ( t /rang]8 ,if ,i be told t /rang] is myself1 ,i w readily agree2 b 0 t :i* ^u e>? felt & measur$ my joys & sorr[s & gave bir? to ! few memories & ?\ghts t rema9 to me1 0 t ?is unmov$1 unse5 /rang] :o exi/$ 9 me )\t my cognizance1 ev5 z ,i am probably ab\t to live 9 him )\t 8 conc]n+ himself ) a pres5ce t w br+ him b ! pitiful recollection ( a ?+ t is no m8 ,n[ t he has tak5 my place1 :ile de/roy+1 9 ord] to acquire a great] consci\sness1 all t =m$ my small consci\sness "h bel[1 is x n ano!r life comm5c+1 a life ^: joys & sorr[s w pass above my head1 n ev5 bru%+ ) _! new w+s t :i* ,i feel myself to be to-day8 ,,xv ,,if ,,x ,,7 ,,possible1 ,,x ,,w\ld ,,n ,,be ,,dreadful ,x seems1 !re=e1 t a survival ) our pres5t consci\sness is z impossible & z incompreh5sible z total annihilation4 ,moreov]1 ev5 if x 7 admissible1 x w\ld n be dreadful4 ,x is c]ta9 t1 :5 ! body disappe>s1 all physical suff]+s w disappe> at ! same "t2 = we _c imag9e a s\l suff]+ 9 a body :i* x no long] possesses4 ,) !m w vani% simultane\sly all t we call m5tal or moral suff]+s1 see+ t all ( !m1 if we exam9e !m well1 spr+ f ! ties & habits ( our s5ses4 ,our s\l feels ! reaction ( ! suff]+s ( our body1 or ( ! bodies t surr\nd x2 x _c suff] 9 itself or ?r\gh itself4 ,slight$ affection1 %att]$ love1 disappo9tm5ts1 failures1 despair1 trea*]y1 p]sonal humiliations1 z well z ! afflictions & ! loss ( ^? :om x loves1 acquire ! /+ t hurts x only by pass+ ?r\gh ! body :i* x animates4 ,outside its own sorr[1 :i* is ! sorr[ ( n kn[+1 ! s\l1 once deliv]$ f its body1 c\ld suff] only at ! recollection ( t body4 ,x is possible t x /ill grieves ov] ! tr\bles ( ^? :om x has left beh9d on e>?4 ,b1 9 ! eyes ( t :i* no long] c\nts ! days1 ^? tr\bles w seem s brief t x w n grasp _! duration2 &1 kn[+ :at !y are & :i!r !y lead1 x w n behold _! sev]ity4 ,! s\l is ins5sible to all t is n happ9ess4 ,x is made only = inf9ite joy1 :i* is ! joy ( kn[+ & und]/&+4 ,x c grieve only at p]ceiv+ its own limits2 b to p]ceive ^? limits1 :5 "o is no long] b\nd by space & "t1 is already to transc5d !m4 ,,xvi ,,! ,,survival ,,)\t ,,consci\sness ,!re rema9s b ! survival )\t consci\sness1 or survival ) a consci\sness diff]5t f t ( to-day4 ,a survival )\t consci\sness seems at fir/ sight ! mo/ probable4 ,f ! po9t ( view ( ! good or ill await+ u on ! o!r side ( ! grave1 x am\nts to annihilation4 ,x is lawful1 !re=e1 = ^? :o pref] ! easie/ solution & t mo/ consi/5t ) ! pres5t /ate ( human ?\ght1 to set t limit to _! anxiety !re4 ,!y h no?+ to dread2 = e fe>1 if any rema91 w\ld1 if we look into x c>efully1 deck itself ) hopes4 ,! body dis9tegrates & c no long] suff]2 ! m9d1 sep>at$ f ! s\rce ( pleasure & pa91 is ext+ui%$1 scatt]$ & lo/ 9 a b\ndless d>kness2 & :at comes is ! great peace s (t5 pray$ =1 ! sleep )\t measure1 )\t dreams & )\t awak5+4 ,b ?is is only a solution t flatt]s indol5ce4 ,if we press ^? :o speak ( a survival )\t consci\sness1 we p]ceive t !y mean only _! pres5t consci\sness1 = man conceives no o!r2 & we h j se5 t x is almo/ impossible = t mann] ( consci\sness to p]si/ 9 inf9ity4 ,unless1 inde$1 !y w\ld d5y e sort ( consci\sness1 ev5 t ( ! univ]se into :i* _! own w fall4 ,b t means solv+ v quickly & v bl9dly1 ) a /roke ( ! sword 9 ! night1 ! greate/ & mo/ my/]i\s "q t c arise 9 a man's bra94 ,,xvii ,,! ,,same1 ,,cont9u$ ,?is "q is closely alli$ to our modifi$ consci\sness4 ,!re is = ! mom5t no hope ( solv+ x2 b we are free to grope 9 its d>kness1 :i* is n p]haps equally d5se at all po9ts4 ,"h beg9s ! op5 sea4 ,"h beg9s ! glori\s adv5ture1 ! only "o abrea/ ) human curiosity1 ! only "o t so>s z high z its highe/ long+4 ,let u accu/om ourselves to reg>d dea? z a =m ( life :i* we d n yet und]/&2 let u le>n to look ^u x ) ! same eye t looks ^u bir?2 & soon our m9d w be accompani$ to ! /eps ( ! tomb ) ! same glad expectation t greets a bir?4 ,if1 be=e be+ born1 we 7 p]mitt$ to *oose betwe5 ! great peace ( non-exi/5ce & a life t %\ld n be complet$ by ! magnific5t h\r ( dea?1 :i* ( u1 kn[+ :at we ought to "k1 w\ld accept ! disquiet+ problem ( an exi/5ce t w\ld n end 9 ! reassur+ my/]y ( its conclusion8 ,:i* ( u w\ld c>e to come into a _w :]e !re is s little to le>n1 if he did n "k t he mu/ ent] x if he w\ld leave x & le>n m8 ,! be/ "p ( life is t x prep>es ?is h\r = u1 t x is ! "o & only road lead+ to ! magic gateway & into t incomp>able my/]y :]e mis=tunes & suff]+s w no long] be possible1 because we %all h lo/ ! body t produc$ !m2 :]e ! wor/ t c befall u is ! dreamless sleep :i* we c\nt among ! numb] ( ! greate/ boons on e>?2 :]e1 la/ly1 x is almo/ unimag9able t a ?\ght c survive to m+le ) ! sub/ance ( ! univ]se1 t is to say1 ) inf9ity1 :i*1 if x be n a wa/e ( indiff]5ce1 c be no?+ b a sea ( joy4 ,,xviii ,,! ,,limit$ ,,ego ,,w\ld ,,become ,a ,,torture ,be=e fa?om+ t sea1 let u rem>k to ^? :o aspire to ma9ta9 _! ego t !y are call+ d[n ! suff]+s :i* !y dread4 ,! ego implies limits4 ,! ego _c subsi/ except 9 s f> z x is sep>at$ f t :i* surr\nds x4 ,! /rong] ! ego1 ! n>r[] its limits & ! cle>] ! sep>ation4 ,! m pa9ful too2 = ! m9d1 if x rema9 z we "k x--& we are n able to imag9e x diff]5t--w no soon] h se5 its limits ?an x w wi% to ov]/ep !m3 &1 ! m sep>at$ x feels1 ! great] w be its long+ to unite ) t :i* lies outside4 ,!re w !re=e be an et]nal /ruggle betwe5 its be+ & its aspirations4 ,& really !re 7 no object 9 be+ born & dy+ only = ! purpose ( ^! endless conte/s4 ,h we n "h yet "o m pro( t our ego1 z we conceive x1 c\ld nev] subsi/ 9 ! inf9ity :]e x mu/ ne$s g1 s9ce x _c g else:]e8 ,x behooves u !re=e to get rid ( imag9ations t emanate only f our body1 ev5 z ! mi/s t veil ! daylight f our sight emanate only f l[ places4 ,pascal has said1 once & = all3 ,! n>r[ limits ( our be+ conceal inf9ity f our view4 ,,xix ,a ,,new ,,ego ,,c ,,f9d ,a ,,nucleus ,,& ,,develop ,,itself ,,9 ,,inf9ity ,on ! o!r h&--= we mu/ be hone/1 probe ! conflict+ d>kness :i* we believe ne>e/ to ! tru? & %[ no bias--on ! o!r h&1 we c grant to ^? :o are w$d$ to ! ?\ght ( rema9+ z !y are t ! survival ( a m]e p>ticle ( !mselves w\ld suffice to r5ew !m aga9 9 ! he>t ( an inf9ity :]efrom _! body no long] sep>ates !m4 ,if x seems impossible t any?+--a movem5t1 a vibration1 a radiation--%\ld /op or disappe>1 :y !n %\ld ?\ght be lo/8 ,!re w1 no d\bt1 subsi/ m ?an "o idea p[]ful en\gh to allure ! new ego1 :i* w n\ri% itself & ?rive on all t x w f9d 9 t new & endless environm5t1 j z ! o!r ego1 on ?is e>?1 n\ri%$ itself & ?rove on all t x met !re4 ,s9ce we h be5 able to acquire our pres5t consci\sness1 :y %\ld x be impossible = u to acquire ano!r8 ,= t ego :i* is s de> to u & :i* we believe ourselves to possess 0 n made 9 a day2 x is n at pres5t :at x 0 at ! h\r ( our bir?4 ,mu* m *ance ?an purpose has ent]$ into x2 & mu* m =eign sub/ance ?an any inborn sub/ance :i* x conta9$4 ,x is b a long s]ies ( acquisitions & trans=mations1 ( :i* we d n become aw>e until ! awak5+ ( our memory2 & its nucleus1 ( :i* we d n "k ! nature1 is p]haps m immat]ial & less concrete ?an a ?\ght4 ,if ! new environm5t :i* we ent] on leav+ our "m's womb trans=ms u to su* a po9t t !re is1 s to speak1 no connexion betwe5 ! embryo t we 7 & ! man t we h become1 is x n "r to ?9k t ! mu* new]1 m unkn[n1 wid] & m f]tile environm5t :i* we ent] on quitt+ life w trans=m u ev5 m8 ,"o c see 9 :at happ5s to u "h a figure ( t :i* awaits u else:]e & readily admit t our spiritual be+1 lib]at$ f its body1 if x does n m+le at ! fir/ onset ) ! inf9ite1 w develop itself !re gradually1 w *oose itself a sub/ance &1 no long] trammell$ by space & "t1 w gr[ )\t end4 ,x is v possible t our l(tie/ wi%es ( to-day w become ! law ( our future developm5t4 ,x is v possible t our be/ ?\ghts w welcome u on ! o!r bank & t ! quality ( our intellect w det]m9e t ( ! inf9ite t cry/allizes ar\nd x4 ,e hypo!sis is p]missible & e "q1 provid$ x be address$ to happ9ess2 = unhapp9ess is no long] able to answ] u4 ,x f9ds no place 9 ! human imag9ation t explores ! future me?odically4 ,&1 :atev] be ! =ce t survives u & presides ov] our exi/5ce 9 ! o!r _w1 ?is exi/5ce1 to presume ! wor/1 c\ld be no less great1 no less happy ?an t ( to-day4 ,x w h no o!r c>e] ?an inf9ity2 & inf9ity is no?+ if x be n felicity4 ,9 any case1 x seems fairly c]ta9 t we sp5d 9 ?is _w ! only n>r[1 grudg+1 obscure & sorr[ful mom5t ( our de/9y4 ,,xx ,,! ,,only ,,sorr[ ,,t ,,c ,,t\* ,,our ,,m9d ,we h said t ! "o sorr[ ( ! m9d is ! sorr[ ( n kn[+ or n und]/&+1 :i* conta9s ! sorr[ ( p[]lessness2 = he :o kn[s ! supreme causes1 be+ no long] p>alyz$ by matt]1 becomes "o ) !m & acts ) !m2 & he :o und]/&s ends by approv+1 or else ! univ]se w\ld be a mi/ake1 :i* is n possible4 ,i d n believe t ano!r sorr[ ( ! %e] m9d c be imag9$4 ,! only "o :i*1 be=e reflection1 might seem admissible & :i*1 9 any case1 c\ld be b ephem]al w\ld arise f ! sight ( ! pa9 & mis]y t rema9 on ! e>? :i* we h left4 ,b ?is sorr[1 aft] all1 w\ld be b "o side & an insignificant phase ( ! sorr[ ( p[]lessness & ( n und]/&+4 ,z = ! latt]1 ?\gh x is n only beyond ! doma9 ( our intellig5ce1 b ev5 at an insup]able di/ance f our imag9ation1 we may say t x w\ld be intol]able only if x 7 )\t hope4 ,b1 9 ord] to be )\t hope1 ! univ]se w\ld h to ab&on any attempt to und]/& itself1 or admit )9 itself an object t rema9$ = ev] =eign to x4 ,ei!r ! m9d w n p]ceive its limits &1 consequ5tly1 w n suff] f !m1 or else x w ov]/ep !m z x p]ceives !m2 = h[ c\ld ! univ]se h p>ts et]nally condemn$ to =m no "p ( itself & ( its k8 ,h5ce we _c und]/& t ! torture ( n und]/&+1 suppos+ x to exi/ = a mom5t1 %\ld n end by m+l+ ) ! /ate ( inf9ity1 :i*1 if x be n happ9ess z we compreh5d x1 c\ld be naught b an indiff]5ce high] & pur] ?an joy4 ,,xxi ,,inf9ity ,,z ,,conceiv$ ,,by ,,our ,,reason ,let u turn our ?\ghts t[>ds x4 ,! problem ext5ds beyond humanity & embraces all ?+s4 ,x is possible1 ,i ?9k1 to view inf9ity "u two di/9ct aspects & try to =esee our fate !re94 ,let u contemplate ! fir/ ( ^! aspects4 ,we are plung$ into a univ]se t has no limits 9 space or "t4 ,x nev] began1 nor w x ev] end4 ,x c\ld n h an aim1 =1 if x _h "o1 x w\ld h atta9$ x 9 ! inf9ity ( ye>s t prec$$ u4 ,x is n mak+ = any:]e1 = x w\ld h arriv$ !re2 consequ5tly1 all t ! worlds )9 its pale1 all t we ourselves d c h no influ5ce ^u x4 ,if x h no ?\ght1 x w nev] h "o4 ,if x h "o1 t ?\ght has be5 at its climax s9ce all "t & w rema9 !re1 *angeless & immovable4 ,x is z "y z x has ev] be5 & z old z x w ev] be4 ,x has made 9 ! pa/ all ! ef=ts & all ! exp]im5ts :i* x w make 9 ! future2 &1 z all ! possible comb9ations h be5 exhau/$ s9ce all "t1 x does n seem z if t :i* has n tak5 place 9 ! et]nity t ext5ds be=e our bir? c happ5 9 t :i* w foll[ aft] our dea?4 ,if x h n become consci\s1 x w nev] become s2 if x "k n :at x wi%es1 x w cont9ue 9 ignorance1 hopelessly1 kn[+ all or kn[+ no?+ & rema9+ z ne> its end z its beg9n+4 ,,xxii ,,inf9ity ,,z ,,p]ceiv$ ,,by ,,our ,,s5ses ,all ?is w\ld be1 if n intelligible1 at lea/ acceptable to our reason2 b 9 t univ]se float ?\s&s ( millions ( worlds limit$ by space & "t4 ,!y are born1 !y die & !y are born aga94 ,!y =m "p ( ! :ole2 & we see1 !re=e1 t p>ts ( t :i* has nei!r beg9n+ nor end !mselves beg9 & end4 ,we1 9 fact1 "k only ^? p>ts2 & !y are ( a numb] s inf9ite t 9 our eyes !y fill all inf9ity4 ,t :i* is go+ n[h]e teems ) t :i* appe>s to be go+ some:]e4 ,t :i* has always kn[n :at x wants1 or w nev] le>n1 seems et]nally to be mak+ m or less un=tunate exp]im5ts4 ,:at is t :i* has already atta9$ p]fection try+ to a*ieve8 ,ev]y?+ t we discov] 9 t :i* c\ld n possibly h an aim looks z ?\gh x 7 pursu+ "o ) inconceivable ard\r2 & ! _s t animates :at we see 9 t :i* %\ld "k ev]y?+ & possess itself seems to "k no?+ & to seek itself )\t int]mission4 ,?us all t is app>5t to our s5ses 9 inf9ity ga9says t :i* our reason is compell$ to ascribe to x4 ,accord+ z we fa?om x1 we und]/& bett] ! dep? ( our want ( und]/&+2 &1 ! m we /rive to p5etrate ! two incompreh5sibilities t /& face to face1 ! m !y contradict ea* o!r4 ,,xxiii ,,:i* ,,( ,,! ,,two ,,%all ,,we ,,"k8 ,:at w become ( u amid all ?is obscurity8 ,%all we leave ! f9ite :]e9 we dwell to be swall[$ up 9 ?is or ! o!r inf9ite8 ,9 o!r words1 %all we end by m+l+ ) ! inf9ite :i* our reason conceives1 or %all we rema9 et]nally 9 t :i* our eyes behold1 t is to say1 9 numb]less *ang+ & ephem]al worlds8 ,%all we nev] leave ^? worlds :i* seem doom$ to die & to be reborn et]nally1 to ent] at la/ into t :i*1 s9ce all et]nity1 c nei!r h be5 born nor h di$ & :i* exi/s )\t ei!r future or pa/8 ,%all we "o day escape1 ) all t surr\nds u1 f ! unhappy exp]im5ts1 to f9d our way at la/ into peace1 wisdom1 ! *angeless & b\ndless consci\sness1 or into ! hopeless unconsci\sness8 ,%all we h ! fate :i* our s5ses =etell1 or t :i* our intellig5ce dem&s8 ,or are bo? s5ses & intellig5ce illusions1 puny implem5ts1 va9 weapons ( a brief h\r t 7 nev] int5d$ to probe or cont5d ) ! univ]se8 ,if !re really be a contradiction1 is x wise to accept x & to deem impossible t :i* we d n und]/&1 see+ t we und]/& almo/ no?+8 ,is tru? n at an immeasurable di/ance f ^? inconsi/5cies :i* appe> to u enorm\s & irr$ucible & :i*1 d\btless1 are ( no m importance ?an ! ra9 t falls ^u ! sea8 ,,xxiv ,,! ,,inf9ity ,,:i* ,,bo? ,,our ,,reason ,,& ,,our ,,s5ses ,,c ,,admit ,b1 ev5 to our poor und]/&+ ( to-day1 ! discrepancy betwe5 ! inf9ity conceiv$ by our reason & t p]ceiv$ by our s5ses is p]haps m app>5t ?an real4 ,:5 we say t1 9 a univ]se t has exi/$ s9ce all et]nity1 e exp]im5t1 e possible comb9ation has be5 made2 :5 we decl>e t !re is n a *ance t t :i* has n tak5 place 9 ! unc\ntable pa/ c take place 9 ! unc\ntable future1 our imag9ation attributes to ! inf9ity ( "t a prepond]ance :i* x _c possess4 ,9 tru?1 all t inf9ity conta9s mu/ be z inf9ite z ! "t at its disposal2 & ! *ances1 enc\nt]s & comb9ations t lie !re9 h n be5 exhau/$ 9 ! et]nity t goes be=e u any m ?an !y c\ld be 9 ! et]nity t comes aft] u4 ,!re is1 !re=e1 no climax1 no *angelessness1 no immovability4 ,x is probable t ! univ]se is seek+ & f9d+ itself e day1 t x has n become entirely consci\s & does n yet "k :at x wants4 ,x is almo/ c]ta9 t its ideal is /ill veil$ by ! %ad[ ( its imm5sity & almo/ evid5t t ! exp]im5ts & *ances are foll[+ "o ^u ! o!r 9 unimag9able worlds1 comp>$ :]e) all ^? :i* we see on />ry nights are no m ?an a p9* ( gold-du/ 9 ! ocean dep?s4 ,la/ly1 x is v ne>ly sure t we ourselves1 or :atev] rema9s ( u--x matt]s n--w pr(it "o day by ^? exp]im5ts & ^? *ances4 ,t :i* has n yet happ5$ may sudd5ly sup]v5e2 & ! be/ /ate1 z well z ! supreme wisdom :i* w recognize & e/abli% x1 is p]haps ready to arise f ! cla% ( circum/ance4 ,x 7 n at all a/oni%+ if ! consci\sness ( ! univ]se1 9 ! endeav\r to =m itself1 _h n yet met ) ! aid ( ! necess>y *ances & if human ?\ght 7 second+ "o ( ^? decisive *ances4 ,"h !re is a hope4 ,small z man & 8 ?\ght may appe>1 he has exactly ! value ( ! mo/ enorm\s =ces t he is able to conceive1 s9ce !re is nei!r great nor small 9 ! immeasurable2 &1 if our body equall$ ! dim5sions ( all ! worlds :i* our eyes c see1 x w\ld h exactly ! same weight & ! same importance ) reg>d to ! univ]se t x has to-day4 ,! m9d alone p]haps occupies 9 inf9ity a space :i* comp>isons d n r$uce to no?+4 ,,xxv ,,our ,,fate ,,9 ,,inf9ity ,:atev] ! ultimate tru? may be1 :e!r we admit ! ab/ract1 absolute & p]fect inf9ity--! *angeless1 immovable inf9ity :i* has atta9$ p]fection & :i* kn[s ev]y?+1 to :i* our reason t5ds--or :e!r we pref] t (f]$ to u by ! evid5ce1 "h bel[ und5iable1 ( our s5ses--! inf9ity :i* seeks itself1 :i* is /ill evolv+ & n yet e/abli%$--x behoves u above all to =esee 9 x our fate1 :i*1 9 any case1 mu/ end by absorption 9 t v inf9ity4 ,! fir/ inf9ity1 ! ideal inf9ity1 is s /rangely contr>y to all t we see t x is be/ n to attack x until we h tri$ to explore ! second4 ,moreov]1 x is q possible t x may succe$ ! o!r4 ,z we h said1 t :i* has n tak5 place 9 ! et]nity be=e may happ5 9 ! et]nity aft] u2 & no?+ save innum]\s accid5ts is oppos$ to ! prospect t ! univ]se may at la/ acquire ! integral consci\sness t w e/abli% x at its climax4 ,aft] giv+ a glance1 useless1 = t matt]1 & impot5t1 at all t may p]haps arise1 we %all try to int]rogate1 )\t hope ( answ]1 ! my/]y ( ! b\ndless peace into :i* x is possible t we may s9k ) ! o!r worlds4 ,,xxvi ,,! ,,same1 ,,cont9u$ ,behold u1 !n1 9 ! inf9ity ( ^? worlds1 ! /ell> inf9ity1 ! inf9ity ( ! heav5s1 :i* assur$ly veils o!r ?+s f our eyes1 b c\ld nev] be a total illusion4 ,x seems to u to be peopl$ only ) objects--planets1 suns1 />s1 nebul1 atoms1 impond]\s fluids--:i* move1 unite & sep>ate1 repel & attract "o ano!r1 :i* %r9k & exp&1 displace "o ano!r incessantly & nev] arrive1 :i* measure space 9 t :i* has no limit & numb] ! h\rs 9 t :i* has no t]m4 ,9 a ^w1 we are 9 an inf9ity t seems to h almo/ ! same "*1 ! same habits z t p[] 9 ! mid/ ( :i* we brea! & :i*1 ^u our e>?1 we call nature or life4 ,:at w be our fate 9 t inf9ity8 ,x is n va9 to ask "o's self ! "q1 ev5 if we %\ld m+le ) x aft] los+ all consci\sness1 all notion ( ! ego1 ev5 if our exi/5ce %\ld be no m ?an a little sub/ance )\t "n1 s\l or matt]--"o _c tell--susp5d$ 9 ! equally nameless abyss t replaces "t & space4 ,x is n va9 to ask "o's self ! "q1 = we are conc]n$ ) ! hi/ory ( ! worlds or ( ! univ]se2 & ?is hi/ory1 f> m ?an t ( our petty exi/5ce1 is our own great hi/ory1 9 :i* p]haps some?+ ( ourselves or some?+ incomp>ably bett] & va/] w end by f9d+ u aga9 "s day4 ,,xxvii ,,%all ,,we ,,be ,,unhappy ,,!re8 ,%all we be unhappy !re8 ,x is h>dly reassur+ :5 we consid] ! habits ( our nature & rememb] t we =m "p ( a univ]se t has n yet collect$ its wisdom4 ,we h se51 x is true1 t good & bad =tune exi/ only 9 s f> z reg>ds our body & t1 :5 we h lo/ ! ag5t ( our suff]+s1 we %all n meet any ( ! e>?ly sorr[s aga94 ,b our anxiety does n end "h2 & w n our m9d1 l+]+ ^u our er/:ile sorr[s1 drift+ d]elict f _w to _w1 unkn[n to itself 9 ! unkn[able t seeks itself hopelessly2 w n our m9d "k "h ! frightful torture ( :i* we h already spok5 & :i* is d\btless ! la/ :i* ! imag9ation c t\* ) its w+8 ,la/ly1 if !re 7 no?+ left ( our body & our m9d1 !re w\ld /ill rema9 ! matt] & ! _s 7or1 at lea/1 ! obvi\sly s+le =ce to :i* we give t d\ble "n7 :i* compos$ !m & ^: fate mu/ be no m indiff]5t to u ?an our own fate2 =1 let u repeat1 f our dea? onw>ds1 ! adv5ture ( ! univ]se becomes our own adv5ture4 ,let u n1 !re=e1 say to ourselves3 ,:at c x matt]8 ,we %all n be !re4 ,we %all be !re always1 because ev]y?+ w be !re4 ,,xxviii ,,que/ions ,,)\t ,,answ]s ,w all ?is to :i* we %all belong1 9 a _w ev] seek+ itself1 cont9ue a prey to new1 unceas+ & p]haps pa9ful exp]im5ts8 ,s9ce ! "p t we 7 0 unhappy1 :y %\ld ! "p t we %all be enjoy a bett] =tune8 ,:o c assure u t ^? un5d+ comb9ations & endeav\rs w n be m sorr[ful1 m awkw>d & m baneful ?an ^? :i* we are leav+2 & h[ %all we expla9 t ^! h come ab\t aft] s _m millions ( o!rs :i* %\ld h op5$ ! eyes ( ! g5ius ( inf9ity8 ,x is idle to p]suade ourselves1 z ,h9du wisdom w\ld1 t our sorr[s are b illusions & appe>ances3 x is none ! less true t !y make u v really unhappy4 ,has ! univ]se else:]e a m complete consci\sness1 a m j & s]5e pr9ciple ( ?\ght ?an on ?is e>? & 9 ! worlds :i* we p]ceive8 ,&1 if x be true t x has some:]e atta9$ t bett] ?\ght1 :y does ! ?\ght t presides ov] ! de/9ies ( our e>? n pr(it by x8 ,c\ld no communication be possible betwe5 worlds :i* mu/ h be5 born ( ! same idea & are /eep$ 9 x8 ,:at w\ld be ! my/]y ( t isolation8 ,are we to believe t ! e>? m>ks ! mo/ advanc$ /age & ! mo/ fav\r$ exp]im5t8 ,:at1 !n1 c ! ?\ght ( ! univ]se h done & aga9/ :at d>kness mu/ x h /ruggl$1 to h come no f>!r ?an ?is8 ,b1 on ! o!r h&1 c x h be5 /ay$ by t d>kness or by ^? ob/acles :i*1 be+ unable to arise f any else:]e1 c b h sprung f itself8 ,:o !n c\ld h set ^? insoluble problems to inf9ity & f :at m remote & pr(\nd region ?an itself w\ld !y h issu$8 ,"s "o1 aft] all1 mu/ "k :at !y ask2 &1 z beh9d inf9ity !re c be none t is n inf9ity itself1 x is impossible to imag9e a malignant w 9 a w t leaves no po9t ar\nd x b :at x fills entirely4 ,or are ! exp]im5ts begun 9 ! />s cont9u$ me*anically1 by virtue ( ! =ce acquir$1 )\t reg>d to _! uselessness & to _! pitiful consequ5ces1 accord+ to ! cu/om ( nature1 :i* kn[s no?+ ( our p>simony & squ&]s ! suns 9 space z x does ! se$ on e>?1 kn[+ t no?+ c be lo/8 ,or1 aga91 is ! :ole "q ( our peace & happ9ess1 l t ( ! fate ( ! worlds1 r$uc$ to kn[+ :e!r or n ! inf9ity ( endeav\rs & comb9ations be equal to t ( et]nity8 ,or1 la/ly1 to come to ! greate/ probability1 is x we :o deceive ourselves1 :o "k no?+1 :o see no?+ & :o consid] imp]fect t :i* is p]haps faultless1 we1 :o are b an inf9itesimal fragm5t ( ! intellig5ce :i* we judge ) ! aid ( ! little %r$s ( ?\ght :i* x has v\*saf$ to l5d u8 ,,xxix ,,! ,,same1 ,,cont9u$ ,h[ c\ld we reply1 h[ c\ld our ?\ghts & glances p5etrate ! inf9ite & ! invisible1 we :o nei!r und]/& nor ev5 see ! ?+ by :i* we see & :i* is ! s\rce ( all our ?\ghts8 ,9 fact1 z has be5 v ju/ly obs]v$1 man does n see light itself4 ,he sees only matt]1 or r ! small "p ( ! great worlds :i* he kn[s by ! "n ( matt]1 t\*$ by light4 ,he does n p]ceive ! imm5se rays t cross ! heav5s save at ! mom5t :5 !y are /opp$ by an object ( ! nature ( ^? :i* 8 eye is accu/om$ to see ^u ?is e>?3 7 x o!rwise1 ! :ole space fill$ ) innum]able suns & b\ndless =ces1 in/ead ( be+ an abyss ( absolute d>kness :i* absorbs & ext+ui%es ! clu/]s ( beams t %oot across x f e side1 w\ld be b a prodigi\s1 unt5able ocean ( fla%es4 ,%akespe>e's fam\s l9es3 ,!re are m ?+s 9 heav5 & e>?1 ,horatio1 ,?an are dreamt ( 9 y\r philosophy4 h long s9ce become utt]ly inadequate4 ,!re are no long] m ?+s ?an our philosophy c dream ( or imag9e3 !re is none b ?+s :i* x _c dream (1 !re is no?+ b ! unimag9able2 &1 if we d n ev5 see ! light1 :i* is ! only ?+ t we believ$ we saw1 x may be said t !re is no?+ all ar\nd u b ! invisible4 ,we move 9 ! illusion ( see+ & kn[+ t :i* is /rictly indisp5sable to our little lives4 ,z = all ! re/1 :i* is well-nigh ev]y?+1 our organs n only deb> u f rea*+1 see+ or feel+ x1 b ev5 re/ra9 u f suspect+ :at x is1 j z !y w\ld prev5t u f und]/&+ x1 if an intellig5ce ( a diff]5t ord] 7 to be?9k itself ( reveal+ or expla9+ x to u4 ,x is impossible = u1 !re=e1 to appreciate 9 any degree :atsoev]1 9 ! smalle/ conceivable respect1 ! pres5t /ate ( ! univ]se & to say1 z long z we are m51 :e!r x foll[s a /raight l9e or describes an imm5se circle1 :e!r x is gr[+ wis] or madd]1 :e!r x is advanc+ t[>ds ! et]nity :i* has no end or retrac+ its /eps t[>ds t :i* _h no beg9n+4 ,our sole privilege )9 our t9y conf9es is to /ruggle t[>ds t :i* appe>s to u ! be/ & to rema9 h]oically p]suad$ t no "p ( :at we d )9 ^? conf9es c ev] be :olly lo/4 ,,xxx ,,x ,,is ,,n ,,necess>y ,,to ,,answ] ,,!m ,b let n all ^! insoluble que/ions drive u t[>ds fe>4 ,f ! po9t ( view ( our future beyond ! grave1 x is 9 no way necess>y t we %\ld h an answ] to ev]y?+4 ,:e!r ! univ]se h already f\nd its consci\sness1 :e!r x f9d x "o day or see x ev]la/+ly1 x c\ld n exi/ = ! purpose ( be+ unhappy & ( suff]+1 nei!r 9 its entirety1 nor 9 any "o ( its p>ts2 & x matt]s little if ! latt] be invisible or incomm5surable1 consid]+ t ! smalle/ is z great z ! greate/ 9 :at has nei!r limit nor measure4 ,to torture a po9t is ! same ?+ z to torture ! worlds2 &1 if x torture ! worlds1 x is its own sub/ance t x tortures4 ,its v de/9y1 9 :i* we are plac$1 protects u4 ,our suff]+s !re c\ld be b ephem]al2 & no?+ matt]s t is n et]nal4 ,x is possible1 al?\gh some:at incompreh5sible1 t p>ts %\ld err & g a/ray2 b x is impossible t sorr[ %\ld be "o ( its la/+ & necess>y laws2 = x w\ld h br\ght t law to be> aga9/ itself4 ,9 l mann]1 ! univ]se is & mu/ be its own law & its sole ma/]2 if n1 ! law or ! ma/] :om x mu/ obey w\ld !n be ! univ]se2 & ! c5tre ( a ^w :i* we pron\nce )\t be+ able to grasp its scope w\ld be simply displac$4 ,if x be unhappy1 t means t x wills its own unhapp9ess2 if x w its unhapp9ess1 x is mad2 &1 if x appe> to u mad1 t means t our reason works contr>y to ev]y?+ & to ! only laws possible1 see+ t !y are et]nal1 or1 to speak m humbly1 t x judges :at x :olly fails to und]/&4 ,,xxxi ,,ev]y?+ ,,mu/ ,,f9i% ,,exempt ,,f ,,suff]+ ,ev]y?+1 !re=e1 mu/ f9i%1 or p]haps ev]y?+ already is1 if n 9 a /ate ( happ9ess1 at lea/ 9 a /ate exempt f all suff]+1 all anxiety1 all la/+ unhapp9ess2 & :at1 aft] all1 is our happ9ess ^u ?is e>?1 if x be n ! abs5ce ( sorr[1 anxiety & unhapp9ess8 ,b x is *ildi% to talk ( happ9ess & unhapp9ess :]e inf9ity is 9 "q4 ,! idea :i* we ent]ta9 ( happ9ess & unhapp9ess is some?+ s special1 s human1 s fragile t x does n exce$ our /ature & falls to du/ z soon z we g beyond its little sph]e4 ,x proce$s entirely f a few accid5ts ( our n]ves1 :i* are made to appreciate v slight happ5+s1 b :i* c\ld z easily h felt ev]y?+ ! rev]se way & tak5 pleasure 9 t :i* is n[ pa94 ,we believe t we see no?+ hang+ ov] u b cata/rophes1 dea?s1 torm5ts & disa/]s2 we %iv] at ! m]e ?\ght ( ! great int]planet>y spaces1 ) _! cold & =midable & gloomy solitudes2 & we imag9e t ! revolv+ worlds are z unhappy z ourselves because !y freeze1 or cla% toge!r1 or are consum$ 9 unutt]able flames4 ,we inf] f ?is t ! g5ius ( ! univ]se is an outrage\s tyrant1 seiz$ ) a mon/r\s madness1 & t x delights only 9 ! torture ( itself & all t x conta9s4 ,to millions ( />s1 ea* _m ?\s& times l>g] ?an our sun1 to nebul ^: nature & dim5sions no figure1 no ^w 9 our languages is able to express1 we attribute our mom5t>y s5sibility1 ! little ephem]al & *ance work+ ( our n]ves2 & we are conv9c$ t life !re mu/ be impossible or appall+1 because we %\ld feel too hot or too cold4 ,x 7 mu* wis] to say to ourselves t x w\ld ne$ b a trifle1 a few papill m or less to our sk91 ! slighte/ modification ( our eyes & e>s1 to turn ! temp]ature1 ! sil5ce & ! d>kness ( space into a delici\s spr+-"t1 an unequall$ music1 a div9e light4 ,x 7 mu* m reasonable to p]suade ourselves t ! cata/rophes :i* we ?9k t we behold are life itself1 ! joy & "o or o!r ( ^? imm5se fe/ivals ( m9d & matt] 9 :i* dea?1 ?ru/+ aside at la/ our two enemies1 "t & space1 w soon p]mit u to take "p4 ,ea* _w dissolv+1 ext+ui%$1 crumbl+1 burnt or collid+ ) ano!r _w & pulv]iz$ means ! comm5cem5t ( a magnific5t exp]im5t1 ! dawn ( a m>vell\s hope & p]haps an unexpect$ happ9ess drawn direct f ! inexhau/ible unkn[n4 ,:at ?\gh !y freeze or flame1 collect or disp]se1 pursue or flee "o ano!r3 m9d & matt]1 no long] unit$ by ! same pitiful haz>d t jo9$ !m 9 u1 mu/ rejoice at all t happ5s2 = all is b bir? & re-bir?1 a dep>ture into an unkn[n fill$ ) wond]ful promises & maybe an anticipation ( "s unutt]able ev5t4444 ,&1 %\ld !y /& /ill "o day1 become fix$ & rema9 motionless1 x w n be t !y h enc\nt]$ calamity1 nullity or dea?2 b !y w h ent]$ into a ?+ s fair1 s great1 s happy & ba!d 9 su* c]ta9ties t !y w = ev] pref] x to all ! prodigi\s *ances ( an inf9ity :i* no?+ c impov]i%4 99 99 99 99 99 ,transcrib]'s note3 ,m9or *anges h be5 made to correct typesett]s' errors2 o!rwise e ef=t has be5 made to rema9 true to ! au?or's words & int5t4