Where eldest Night And Chaos, ancestors of Nature, hold Eternal anarchy amidst the noise Of endless wars, and by confusion stand; For hot, cold, moist, and dry, four champions fierce, Strive here for mast'ry.
Interpretation
This quote reflects on the chaotic origins of the universe and the fundamental forces competing for dominance.
In this quote, John Milton poetically describes a primordial state where Night and Chaos represent the ancients from which Nature emerges. The depiction of hot, cold, moist, and dry as fierce champions signifies the elemental forces that contend for supremacy in a tumultuous cosmos filled with conflict, embodying the idea that creation arises from chaos and rebellion.
In practice
In a lecture on philosophical concepts of creation, this quote can illustrate the idea that chaos precedes order.
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 many times with a fraudulent Design that men stick their corrupt Doctrine with the Cloves of other mens Wit.
Americans are future-minded to the point of obsession. We are impatient at living in the present. Tomorrow is bound to be better... next year, next century, always what might be rather than what is. This trait in us makes for 'progress;' it also makes for a continuing dissatisfaction.
Everything that is,casts a shadow
Laissez-faire capitalism is the only social system based on the recognition of individual rights and, therefore, the only system that bans force from social relationships.
We will never end poverty if we don't tackle climate change.
Done to death by slanderous tongue
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