nevermore forget: the mother of Ulysses died of grief and yearning for her child. The one is driven from place to place, and the other's, the tender settler’s, heart is breaking: this is the old, old story. Grief breaks the heart of those who live to see that they whom they love best desert their views, their faith— this is part of the sadness wrought by the free intellects—of which they are occasionally aware. Then perhaps they, like unto Ulysses, will have to step down to the dead in order to soothe their sorrow and relieve their affection.
563
The delusion of the amoral constitution of things.— There is no eternal necessity commanding that every transgression should be atoned and paid for—the belief that there was such a necessity was a terrible delusion, useful only in its least part; a similar delusion is the belief that everything is guilt which is felt as such. Not the things, but the opinions on things imaginary have been a source of endless trouble to mankind.
564
In the immediate proximity of experience.—Even master-minds have but a handbreadth experience—in its immediate proximity their reflection fails and gives way to a boundless vacancy and dullness.
