This is one of the strangest, most puzzling entries in Ives' collection of 114 Songs. It takes the form of two epigrams from Emerson (the Christian philosopher) and Manlius (the Pagan one), which express their authors' particular slant on life. They were written on the same summer day (between 1911 and 1913) that Ives attended a Sunday sermon by Reverend Daniel Ernest McCurry (1875 - 1957) who, in his sermon, contrasted Christian faith with Stoic pessimism. Although the two songs, "Duty" "Vita," may be performed as separate songs, they gain meaning when performed as a musically and textually contrasting pair under Ives' group title "Two Slants—Christian and Pagan."

There are also various settings for the songs: "Duty" at one time existed as a piece for male unison chorus with orchestra, and "Vita" for male unison chorus with organ. Both were arranged for piano accompaniment in 1921 and are generally sung with solo voice or unison chorus and piano.

The two epigrams are presented in separate seven-measure musical statements. The Emerson quotation begins with a loud, but only mildly dissonant, chord. It quickly subsides into a quieter, but still majestic statement that surges into tonal ambiguity with its strange, chromatic chords.

"Vita" has a melodic line evoking old chant and a piano texture reminiscent of chorale settings. The two songs are over practically before they have a chance to make an emotional impression. "Two Slants" is mostly notable as an Ives curiosity.

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