Author: Matthew Arnold

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    Yes, write it in the rock! Saint Bernard said,
    Grave it on brass with adamantine pen!
    Tis God himself becomes apparent, when
    Gods wisdom and Gods goodness are displayd,

    For God of these his attributes is made.
    Well spake the impetuous Saint, and bore of men
    The suffrage captive; now, not one in ten
    Recalls the obscure opposer he outweighd.

    Gods wisdom and Gods goodness! Ay, but fools
    Mis-define these till God knows them no more.
    Wisdom and goodness, they are God! what schools

    Have yet so much as heard this simpler lore?
    This no Saint preaches, and this no Church rules;
    Tis in the desert, now and heretofore.

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Type of Poem: Sonnet

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This poem is a profound exploration of notions of divinity, wisdom, and goodness. The poet begins with a reference to Saint Bernard, invoking a sense of religious authority and tradition. The use of exclamation marks and the directive 'write it in the rock' suggest an emphatic tone, underscoring the significance of the initial claim that God's wisdom and goodness are apparent and defining attributes.

The shift in the second half of the poem, beginning with 'Ay, but fools,' introduces a critical perspective, suggesting that these attributes are often misunderstood or misrepresented. The poet argues that wisdom and goodness are not just attributes of God, but that they embody God itself. Yet, this concept is not widely recognized or taught, which the poet views as a failing of religious institutions ('no Saint preaches, and this no Church rules'). The final line indicates that this truth is found 'in the desert,' perhaps implying a place of solitude and contemplation, away from established institutions.

The poem's structure is tightly controlled, adhering to a sonnet form. This allows the poet to develop their argument in a clear, concise manner. The use of rhetorical questions and exclamatory remarks injects an emotional intensity into the intellectual argument. Overall, the poem offers a thoughtful critique of conventional religious teachings, while presenting an alternative conception of divinity grounded in wisdom and goodness.