Lxxv. The Usefulness Of Philosophy Poem by Ellis Walker

Philosophy's most useful part is this,
Which shews us what a wise man's duty is,
Which teacheth what we should pursue or fly;
As for example, that we should not lye.
The next is demonstration, that which shews
By argument, which from right reason flows;
Why we, who study nature, ought to shun
The baseness of a false, deceitful tongue.
The third is what confirms, gives force and light,
And proves the demonstration to be right,
Shews where the contradiction lies in sense,
What is, what is not a true consequence,
Of truth and falshood gives clear evidence.
This last is useful, for the second, that,
By reason, puts an end to all debate
Touching the first, but that's the part that claims
(As being the most useful) the most pains;
On which we safely may rely, and rest
Secure of happiness, entirely blest:
But we, O base neglect! The means pursue
Of doing well, but still forget to do,
We dwell on the dispute, our time is spent
Only in framing of the argument;
Hence 'tis we lye, and with much art and skill,
Act what we can demonstrate to be ill.