because they reveal the presence of diviner instinct, that grows
ever diviner still. And their aim is not in themselves; they serve
but to clear the way for the destiny of the soul, which is a
destiny, always, of purification and light.

27. Reason flings open the door to wisdom; but the most living
wisdom befinds itself not in reason. Reason bars the gate to
malevolent destiny; but wisdom, away on the horizon, throws open
another gate to propitious destiny. Reason defends and withdraws;
forbids, rejects, and destroys. Wisdom advances, attacks, and adds;
increases, creates, and commands. Reason produces not wisdom, which
is rather a craving of soul. It dwells up above, far higher than
reason; and thus is it of the nature of veritable wisdom to do
countless things whereof reason disapproves, or shall but approve
hereafter. So was it that wisdom one day said to reason, It were
well to love one's enemies and return good for evil. Reason, that
day, tiptoe on the loftiest peak in its kingdom, at last was fain to
agree. But wisdom is not yet content, and seeks ever further, alone.

28. If wisdom obeyed reason only, and sought nothing more than to
overcome instinct, then would wisdom be ever the same. There would
be but one wisdom for all, and its whole range would be known to
man, for reason has more than once explored its entire domain.

Certain fixed points there well may be that are common to all
classes of wisdom; but there exists none the less the widest
possible difference between the atmospheres that enwrapped the
wisdom of Jesus Christ and of Socrates, of Aristides and Marcus
Aurelius, of Fenelon and Jean Paul. Let the same event befall these
men on the self-same day: if it fall into the running waters of