Philosophy by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The poem explores the idea that philosophy is a futile pursuit, as it cannot provide definitive answers to life's mysteries. The speaker argues that philosophers have been searching for truth and wisdom for centuries, but their efforts have yielded nothing concrete or tangible. Instead, they have only managed to create complex systems of thought that are often contradictory and confusing.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1900 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophy, Religious · 89 words
First lines
At morn the wise man walked abroad, Proud with the learning of great fools. He laughed and said, "There is no God- 'Tis force creates, 'tis reason rules."
Meek with the wisdom of great faith, At night he knelt while angels smiled, And wept and cried with anguished breath, "Jehovah, _God_, save Thou my child. "
What this Textopian page supports
Philosophy is listed on Textopian as a poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, dated 1900 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Date: 1900 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophy, Religious, Literary
- Length: 89 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Philosophy by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- Icarus by Bertrand Russell
- Mysticism And Logic by Bertrand Russell
- The Over Soul by Ralph Waldo Emerson
- The Religion Of Nature Delineated by William Wollaston
- Meditations On The First Philosophy In Which The Existence Of God And The Immortality Of The Soul Are Demonstrated by Rene Descartes
- Proof by Emily Dickinson
Genres
- Poetry — The text is written in verse form with a focus on rhythm and meter.
- Philosophy — The themes explore existential questions and the nature of belief and reason.
- Religious — The content addresses themes of faith, God, and divine intervention.
- Literary — The writing style is reflective and contemplative, typical of literary works.
Tags
Philosophy · Poetry · Spirituality · Mysticism · Metaphysics · Epistemology · Ethics · Free Will · Determinism · Mind and Body · Consciousness · Reality