3. Book Wisdom

He is not wise who from his reading draws Nothing but floods of useless erudition. For all his learning, life's mysterious laws Are a closed book beyond his comprehension. He who acquires a thorough textbook grounding In Botany, won't hear the grass that grows. Nor will he ever teach true understanding Who tells you all the dogma that he knows. Oh, no! The germ lies hid in man's own heart. Who seeks the art of life must look within. Burning the midnight oil will not impart The secret of emotion's discipline. The man is lost who hears his own heart's voice And spurns it, wilfully misapprehending. Of all your words so noble and so wise The most profound is human understanding.

Written in March 1839 Printed according to the text given _. . .. , . . _ „ „ , , in Engels' letter to his sister Marie First published in Der Bremer Stadtbote j March 12 1839 No. 8, March 24, 1839

Published in English for the first Signed: Th. Hildebrandt time ® * I * # tr a p I)

für

1839« fSl â t h Jti 49.