Knowledge does not matter very much
The existence of truth matters
The possession of it rather little

Possession of the truth is a fool’s errand
Since there’s too much truth to go around
People capture little more than a little shard

And even this quantitative fantasy errs
The unit of measure irrelevant
When the understanding reduces truth to mere belief

We know that beliefs make actions rational
Provided that we perceive the truth
And then act according to the truth of reasons

The albatross sticks the landing
On this most rare of occasions
Knowing little of the laws of motion

We do not designate as actions
The impulses of instinct
Or obedience to arbitrary decree

Instead we demand choice
Among alternatives explicitly posed
All furnished all in arms

But nobody sees all the pitfalls
The catalogue of serpents venomous or persuasive
The index of glittering weapons and gaping traps

We raise the edifice of laws and wish by decree
All is as it should be so what’s to think about
Ignore the future emergency the legal improvements

Adjectives nullify
Abstractions conceal
The illusion of no illusions