Page:An Essay on the Age and Antiquity of the Book of Nabathaean Agriculture.djvu/161

Rh we must study every delicacy of shade, require subtilty instead of dogmatism, the relative instead of the absolute. This is, in my opinion, our future, if the future mean progress. Shall we attain to a more certain knowledge of the destiny of Man and his connection with the Infinite? Shall we understand more clearly the law of the origin of being, the nature of perception, what life is, and what personality? Will the world, without returning to credulity, and while persisting in the path of positive philosophy, find again true joy, ardour, hope, calm contemplation? Will it some day be worth while to live; and will the man who believes in duty, find in that duty his reward? Will that science to which we devote our lives repay us for what we sacrifice to her? I know not. All that is certain is this: in seeking for Truth in a scientific way we shall have performed our duty. If Truth is sad, we shall at least have the consolation of having found it by recognized rules; it may be said that we deserved to find it 7