Frithjof Schuon Archive

Say not that the wise man should not love beauty;The ascetic cannot change the nature of things.Think not that beauty is a mere trifle and pastime;Beauty is the wife of Divine Truth.Whatever is beautiful, O Creator, belongs to Thee;Because beauty is the True — it is...

Earthly life is an inn, and the innkeeperIs God, who has prepared everything for the meal;Everyone has his duty; and the Lord of lifeIs waiting for life’s guest to pay.If thou, O man, would’st obtain God’s favor,Be logical — and pay thy debt.

That thou remainest in peace, thou owest to God,Even if the wickedness of the foolish threatens thee;For God is always God, and thy soulHas access to the Lord in all distress.Thy soul is what it has chosen;Be happy if a trial of this world —Woven of illusion, but sent...

In my father’s time: “Hear, O people, what I say:The clock in the belfry has struck twelve;And twelve, O people, is the number of the apostles.”Something similar was faithfully sungThroughout the night, at every hour,As our night-watchman made his round.And thus it...