Innocence is not Synonymous with Virtue

Innocence is the child of Ignorance 

and cannot be maintained in a universe 

where the purpose of evolution 

is the acquisition of Wisdom. 
To attain that end, 

a knowledge of good and evil, 

right and wrong, is essential, 

also choice of action.
If, having knowledge and choice, 

a human being ranges himself

on the side of Good and Right 

then Virtue and Wisdom are cultivated. 
If he succumbs to temptations 

and does wrong knowingly, 

or unknowingly,

vice is then fostered.
Every act bears a consequence,

whether realised or not,

and becomes a seed-ground 

for the law of Karma.

For we do indeed
reap as we sow!
As souls 

we are to realise

we are not bodies, nor races,

but rather,

Beings striving for perfection.
If we forget

and identify wrongly,

we sink

and become enmeshed 

in all that is transient,

mercurial and unreal.