Abashed the devil stood and felt how awful goodness is and saw Virtue in her shape how lovely: and pined his loss
Interpretation
The quote reflects the internal struggle between good and evil, highlighting the beauty of virtue and the torment of recognizing one's own failings.
In this quote, John Milton personifies the devil experiencing shame as he observes the inherent beauty of goodness and virtue. This moment of self-awareness unveils the torment of moral failure and reveals the deep desire for a purity that he cannot attain, suggesting that even the most malevolent can recognize the allure of goodness and feel regret for what they lack.
In practice
In a speech about morality, one could use this quote to emphasize the struggle between good and evil.
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.
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.
Bacchus, that first from out the purple grape_x000D_ _x000D_ Crush'd the sweet poison of misused wine.
I am a weak and sinful man, but God put His hands on me, that is all.
Poverty is the worst form of violence.
The moment a man claims a right to control the will of a fellow being by physical force, he is at heart a slaveholder.
Whenever we seek to avoid the responsibility for our own behavior, we do so by attempting to give that responsibility to some other individual or organization or entity. But this means we then give away our power to that entity.
We must be aware of consumerism! That's our tendency. It's the capitalistic curse that we were poisoned with. We should spend only what is necessary. How do you call the big cars, the latest ones? Hummer! Not a single dollar to import Hummers! What is that? What is that? What kind of revolution is this? One of Hummers? No way!
If I ever reach heaven I expect to find three wonders there: first, to meet some I had not thought to see there; second, to miss some I had expected to see there; and third, the greatest wonder of all, to find myself there.
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