Liber Aleph

145

Εξ

De Mysterio Mali[1]

Moreover, say not thou in thy Syllogism that, since every Change soever, be it the Creation of a Symphony or a Poem or the Putrefaction of a Carcass, is an Act of Love, and since we are to make no difference between any Thing and any other Thing, therefore all Changes are equal in Respect of our Praise. For though this be a Right Conclusion in the Term of thy Comprehension as a Master of the Temple, yet it is false in the Eyes of the Mind that hath not attained to Understanding. So therefore any Change (or Phenomenon) appeareth noble or base to the imperfect Mind, according to its Consonance and Harmony with the Will that Governeth that Mind. Thus if it be thy Will to delight in Rhythm and Œconomy of Words, the Advertisement of a Commodity may offend thee; but if thou art in need of that Merchandise, thou wilt rejoice therein. Praise then or blame aught, as seemeth good unto thee; but with this Reflection, that thy Judgment is relative to thine own Condition, and not Absolute. This also is a Point of Tolerance, whereby thou shalt avoid indeed those Things that are hateful or noxious to thee, unless thou canst (in our Mode) win them by Love, by withdrawing thine Attention from them; but thou shalt not destroy them, for that they are without doubt the Desire of another.
Notes:

[1] On the Mystery of Evil

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