Chapter II A Verses 28-32
119
The Qabalists represent the mind as a complex of six elements, 
whereas the Will is single, the direct expression as “The Word” of 
the Self. The mind must inform the Understanding, which then 
presents a simple idea to the Will. This issues its orders accord­
ingly for unquestioning execution. If the Will should appeal to the 
mind, it must confuse itself with incomplete and uncoordinated 
ideas. The clamour of these cries crowns Anarchy, and action 
becomes impossible.
31. If Power asks why, then is Power weakness.
Commentary: It is ridiculous to ask a dog why it barks. One 
must fulfil one’s true Nature; one must do one’s Will. To question 
this is to destroy confidence, and so to create inhibition. If a 
woman asks a man who wishes to kiss her why he wants to do so, 
and he tries to explain, he becomes impotent. His proper course is 
to choke her into compliance, which is what she wants, anyhow.
Power acts: the nature of the action depends on the informa­
tion received by the Will; but once the decision is taken, reflection 
is out of place. Power should indeed be absolutely unconscious. 
Every athlete is aware that his skill, strength, and endurance 
depend on forbidding mind to meddle with muscle. Here is a sim­
ple experiment. Hold out a weight at arm’s length. If you fix your 
attention firmly on other matters, you can support the strain 
many times longer than if you allow yourself to think of what 
your body is doing.
32. Also reason is a lie; for there is a factor infinite & unknown; 
& all their words are skew-wise.
Commentary: The “factor infinite & unknown” is the 
subconscious Will. “On with the revel!” “their words”—the 
plausible humbug of the newspapers and the churches. Forget it! 
Allons! Marchons!1
1 [Fr., “Let’s go! Let’s march!”]
It has been explained at length in a previous note that “reason 
is a lie” by nature. We may here add certain confirmations 
suggested by the “factor.” A and a (not-A) together make up the