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 justice 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 greatest beauty is 

Organic wholeness, the wholeness of life and things, 

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

with thanks to http://themarkonthewall.blogspot.com/