XXV - We are in Fate and Fate's and do but lack

by Fernando Pessoa · s.d. (uncertain date)
Published 01/07/1880

We are in Fate and Fate's and do but lack

Outness from soul to know ourselves its dwelling,

And do but compel Fate aside or back

By Fate's own immanence in the compelling.

We are too far in us from outward truth

To know how much we are not what we are,

And live but in the heat of error's youth,

Yet young enough its acting youth to ignore.

The doubleness of mind fails us, to glance

At our exterior presence amid things,

Sizing from otherness our countenance

And seeing our puppet will's act-acting strings.

      An unknown language speaks in us, which we

      Are at the words of, fronted from reality.

#determinism #existentialism #fate #fernando pessoa #identity #inner conflict #self knowledge

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