Paradox

"Je edler ein Ding in seiner Vollkommenheit", sagt ein hebräischer Schriftsteller, "desto gräßlicher in seiner Verwesung." Ein verfaultes Holz ist so scheußlich nicht als eine verwesete Blume; diese nicht so ekelhaft als ein verfaultes Tier; und dieses so gräßlich nicht als der Mensch in seiner Verwesung. So auch mit Kultur und Aufklärung. Je edler in ihrer Blüte; desto abscheulicher in ihrer Verwesung und Verderbtheit. Mißbrauch der Aufklärung schwächt das moralische Gefühl, führt zu Hartsinn, Egoismus, Irreligion und Anarchie. Misbrauch der Kultur erzeuget Üppigkeit, Gleisnerei, Weichlichkeit, Aberglauben, und Sklaverei."

(The more refined a thing is in its perfectness, says a Hebraic writer, the more gruesome it is in its decay. Rotting wood is not as disgusting as a withered flower, and a flower not as repulsive as decaying animal. An animal is finally less abhorrent than a rotting human. It is likewise with culture and enlightenment. The more noble it is in its blossom, the more abhorrent it is in its decay and decadence. Abuse of enlightenment weakens the moral sense, leads to obstinance, egotism, irreligion, and anarchy. Abuse of culture fosters luxury, mushiness, superstition, and slavery.)

There are many thoughts I have on this quote. Although it may be wrong to take Mendelssohn's discussion of a topic (enlightenment) that has a particular meaning to his period (critical thinking) I believe it is not too much of a stretch to apply it to myself. Francis Bacon said that "a little philosophy inclineth man's mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men's minds about to religion." I think that mankind is prone to excess. Once he gets it into his mind that he is capable of seeing contradictions in belief, how some things work, and so forth, he thinks that he can critique everything. He soon realizes (hopefully) that this is not the case and, in fact, such an attitude causes harm. Just as God's ways are not our ways, I think that even what humans think is comprehensible reality may not be so comprehensible and man may never truly be able to dispense with mystery, awe, and ignorance when it comes to existence.