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言の葉

(11)


If the augument is rather that these beliefs, whether true or false, make life better in this world, the thing is simply false. To be boosted by an illusion is not to live better than to live in harmony with the truth; it is not nearly so safe, not nearly so sweet, and not nearly so fruitful. These refusals to part with a decayted illusion are really an infection to the mind. Believe, certainly; we cannot help believing; but believe rationally, holding what seems certaion for certain, what seems probable for probable, what seems desirable for desirable, and what seems false for false.

--- Goerge Santayana、Character and Opinion in the United States ---