to a certain breed of speculative theologians—those whose confusion in matters of religion has become widespread (1), whose veils before the knowledge of God have grown thick. Someone who traced their venture to its farthest limits (2) and observed the upshot of their aspirations (3) once said:
“By my life, (4) I have roamed through every institute of learning
and let my eyes survey all those landmarks;
yet I saw nothing but a bewildered soul
with his hand upon his chin, or one biting his finger in regret.” (5)

They have admitted this about themselves, either citing the lines or composing others like them in the books they authored (6). One of their foremost leaders declares:
“The ultimate reach of the intellect is but a fetter, and most of mankind’s striving ends in misguidance.
Our spirits dwell estranged from our own selves (7), and the sum of our worldly life is harm and woe.
Through all the years we spent researching (8) we gained nothing save the collection of ‘he said’ and ‘they said.’” (9)