north view

The 4 round murals are paintings of Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge, and Philosophy

The names and quotes in the Great Hall were chosen by
Librarian of Congress Ainsworth Rand Spofford (1825–1908)
and Charles Elliot (1834–1926), president of Harvard University.

KNOWLEDGE COMES, BUT WISDOM LINGERS
Lord Alfred Tennyson (1809–1892), Locksley Hall (1842)

WISDOM IS THE PRINCIPAL THING; THEREFORE GET WISDOM;
AND WITH ALL THY GETTING, GET UNDERSTANDING
Proverbs 4:7

IGNORANCE IS THE CURSE OF GOD, KNOWLEDGE THE WING WHEREWITH WE FLY TO HEAVEN
William Shakespeare (1564–1616), Henry VI, Part II, act 4, sc. 7 (ca. 1598)

HOW CHARMING IS DIVINE PHILOSOPHY!
John Milton (1608–1674), Mask of Comus (1634)