Hope the Boon of Man
Thomas Carlyle. Romans 8:24-25 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees, why does he yet hope for?… Oh, blessed hope! sole boon of man, whereby on his strait prison walls are painted beautiful, far-stretching landscapes, and into the night of very death itself is shed holiest dawn, Thou art to all an indefeasible condition and possession in this God's world. To the wise, a sacred Constantine's banner, written on the eternal skies, under which they shall conquer, for the battle itself is victory! To the foolish some secular mirage or shadow of still waters painted on the parched earth, whereby, at least, their dusky pilgrimage, if devious, becomes cheerfuller, becomes possible! (Thomas Carlyle.) Parallel Verses KJV: For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? WEB: For we were saved in hope, but hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for that which he sees?