Behold now this vast city [London]; a city of refuge, the mansion-house of liberty, encompassed and surrounded with His protection.
Interpretation
Milton reflects on London as a place of freedom and protection.
In this quote, John Milton portrays London as a sanctuary and a symbol of liberty, suggesting that the city provides safety and shelter to its inhabitants. He evokes a sense of reverence for the city, emphasizing its significance as a bastion of freedom that is enveloped in divine protection, highlighting the emotional and spiritual connection between the people and their city.
In practice
This quote can be shared in a speech about urban development and the importance of cities as centers of freedom.
They, looking back, all the eastern side beheld Of Paradise, so late their happy seat, Waved over by that flaming brand, the gate With dreadful faces thronged and fiery arms: Some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them soon; The world was all before them, where to choose Their place of rest, and Providence their guide; They, hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow, Through Eden took their solitary way.
The stars, that nature hung in heaven, and filled their lamps with everlasting oil, give due light to the misled and lonely traveller.
Ev'n them who kept thy truth so pure of old, When all our fathers worshipp'd stocks and stones.
Abashed the devil stood and felt how awful goodness is and saw Virtue in her shape how lovely: and pined his loss
The end of all learning is to know God, and out of that knowledge to love and imitate Him.
Apt words have power to suage the tumors of a troubled mind.
It is only the story...that saves our progeny from blundering like blind beggars into the spikes of the cactus fence.The story is our escort;without it,we are blind.Does the blind man own his escort?No,neither do we the story;rather,it is the story that owns us.
One crime has to be concealed by another.
In practical life we are compelled to follow what is most probable ; in speculative thought we are compelled to follow truth.
It is not only the living who are killed in war.
Humility is the foundation of all the other virtues hence, in the soul in which this virtue does not exist there cannot be any other virtue except in mere appearance.
Once the light of our awareness is cast on any darkness, then it cannot hide and it cannot remain. Such is the law of consciousness.
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