[1] As blindness is the deformity of the face, so is ignorance
the deformity of the soul. As the want of fleshly eyes
spoils the beauty of the face, so the want of spiritual
eyes spoils the beauty of the soul. A man without knowledge
is as a workman without his hands, as a painter without his
eyes, as a traveller without his legs, or as a ship without
sails, or a bird without wings, or like a body without a
soul.--_Brooks,_ 1680.
[2] Ignorance opens the door for Satan to enter in with his
troops of lusts; where the watch is blind, the city is soon
taken.--_Gurnall,_ 1617-1679.
[3] He that knew not his Lord's will, because he wilfully
rejected the means of coming to the knowledge of it,
deserves to be beaten with as many stripes as if he had
known it and would not. He that will not take notice of the
king's proclamation, or will stop his ears when it is read,
and afterwards offends against it, does equally deserve
punishment with those who have read it, and heard it, and
disobey it; because he was as grossly faulty in not knowing
it; and there is no reason that any man's gross fault
should be his excuse.--_Tillotson,_ 1630-1694.
[4] Oh, for the coming of that glorious time
When, prizing knowledge as her noblest wealth
And best protection, this imperial realm,
While she exacts allegiance, shall admit
An obligation, on her part, to teach
Them who are born to serve her and obey;
Binding herself by stature to secure
For all the children whom her soil maintains
The rudiments of letters, and inform
The mind with moral and religious truth,
Both understood and practised,--so that none,
However destitute, be left to droop
By culture unsustained; or run
Into a wild disorder; or be forced
To drudge through a weary life without the help
Of intellectual implements and tools;
A savage horde among the civilised;
A servile band among the lordly free.
--_Wordsworth._