Now conscience wakes despair That slumber'd,-wakes the bitter memory Of what he was, what is, and what must be Worse.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the awakening of one's conscience, leading to painful realizations about the past, present, and future.
In this quote, John Milton explores the theme of internal conflict caused by one's conscience. The awakening described suggests a moment of painful self-reflection, where an individual is confronted with the harsh truths of their life and existence. This realization brings forth despair, as it emphasizes the contrast between who one was, the current state, and the inevitable struggles ahead. It suggests that knowledge and awareness of one's circumstances can be both enlightening and deeply distressing.
In practice
In a speech about personal growth, one could use this quote to illustrate the importance of facing painful memories to become a better person.
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.
I have no religion,β says Borneau, βbut I respect the religion of others. Religion is sacred.β Why this privilege, this immunity?... A believer creates God in his own image; if he is ugly, his God will be morally ugly. Why should moral ugliness be respectable?
It would be absurd if we did not understand both angels and devils, since we invented them.
There are two powers that alone can effect in their conjunction the great and dificult thing which is the aim of our endeavour, a fixed and unfailing aspiration that calls from below and a supreme Grace from above that answers.
When a war is won, it's the losers, not the winners, who are liberated.
By simple common sense I don't believe in God, in none.
We knew - but didn't want to know - what was going to happen, the sky descending upon our heads like the shadow of a falling piano in a cartoon.
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