What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains
and is immortal.
What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.
We must pass through the darkness, to reach the light.
Fictions are necessary for the people, and the Truth becomes deadly to those who are not strong enough to contemplate it in all its brilliance. In fact, what can there be in common between the vile multitude and sublime wisdom? The Truth must be kept secret, and the masses need a teaching proportioned to their imperfect reason.
Let us drink together, fellows, as we did in days of yore.
And still enjoy the golden hours that Fortune has in store;
The absent friends remembered be, in all that’s sung or said,
And Love immortal consecrate the memory of the dead.