The history of my stupidity would fill many volumes.Some would be devoted to acting against consciousness,
Like the flight of a moth which, had it known,
Would have tended nevertheless toward the candle's flame.Others would deal with ways to silence anxiety,
The little whisper which, though it is a warning, is ignored.I would deal separately with satisfaction and pride,
The time when I was among their adherents
Who strut victoriously, unsuspecting.But all of them would have one subject, desire,
If only my own -- but no, not at all; alas,
I was driven because I wanted to be like others.
I was afraid of what was wild and indecent in me.The history of my stupidity will not be written.
For one thing, it's late. And the truth is laborious.
Berkeley, .
Trans. Robert Hass and Robert Pinsky
Like the flight of a moth which, had it known,
Would have tended nevertheless toward the candle's flame.Others would deal with ways to silence anxiety,
The little whisper which, though it is a warning, is ignored.I would deal separately with satisfaction and pride,
The time when I was among their adherents
Who strut victoriously, unsuspecting.But all of them would have one subject, desire,
If only my own -- but no, not at all; alas,
I was driven because I wanted to be like others.
I was afraid of what was wild and indecent in me.The history of my stupidity will not be written.
For one thing, it's late. And the truth is laborious.
Berkeley, .
Trans. Robert Hass and Robert Pinsky
