The Nuptial Flight 
, evidently misjudge the form and colour of 
the truth, but they live in its atmosphere 
and its influence far more than the others, 
who complacently believe that the entire 
truth lies captive within their two hands. 
For the first have made ample preparations 
to receive the truth, have provided most 
hospitable lodging within them; and even 
though their eyes may not see it, they 
are eagerly looking towards the beauty and 
grandeur where its residence surely must be. 
We know nothing of nature’s aim, which 
for us is the truth that dominates every 
other. But for the very love of this truth, 
and to preserve in our soul the ardour we 
need for its search, it behoves us to deem 
it great. And if we should find one day 
that we have been on a wrong road, that 
this aim is incoherent and petty, we shall 
have discovered its pettiness by means of 
the very zeal its presumed grandeur had 
created within us; and this pettiness once 
established, it will teach us what we have to 
do. In the meanwhile it cannot be unwise 
to devote to its search the most strenuous, 
daring efforts of our heart and our reason. 
267 
