Thou art a man God is no more Thy own humanity Learn to adore
England! awake! awake! awake! Jerusalem thy sister calls! Why wilt thou sleep the sleep of death And close her from thy ancient walls?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote urges England to awaken and not remain passive in the face of suffering or injustice, as personified by Jerusalem calling for help.
In this quote, William Blake implores England to recognize and respond to the plight of Jerusalem, symbolizing a call to action against complacency and inaction. The 'sleep of death' suggests a metaphorical slumber in which a society ignores its moral obligations, while the mention of 'ancient walls' evokes a sense of historical responsibility to protect and uplift those in need. Blake challenges the nation to awaken from its indifference and engage with the calls for justice and solidarity.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a speech advocating for social justice and community engagement.
More from William Blake
All quotes βIn seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.
O thou who passest through our valleys in Thy strength, curb thy fierce steeds, allay the heat That flames from their large nostrils! Thou, O Summer, Oft pitchest here thy golden tent, and oft Beneath our oaks hast slept, while we beheld With joy thy ruddy limbs and flourishing hair.
Every Night and every Morn Some to Misery are born. Every Morn and every Night Some are born to Sweet Delight, Some are born to Endless Night.
As the caterpillar chooses the fairest leaves to lay her eggs on, so the priest lays his curse on the fairest joys.
He who would do good to another must do it in minute particulars.
Similar quotes
It takes a great deal of character strength to apologize quickly out of one's heart rather than out of pity. A person must possess himself and have a deep sense of security in fundamental principles and values in order to genuinely apologize.
Dreams have only one owner at a time. That's why dreamers are lonely.
War is not the best way of settling differences; it is the only way of preventing their being settled for you.
The eternal difference between right and wrong does not fluctuate, it is immutable.
Wisdom and goodness to the vile seem vile; Filths savour but themselves.
At the age of twelve I had an attitude toward life that was to endure, that was to make me seek those areas of living that would keep it alive, that was to make me skeptical of everything while seeking everything, tolerant of all and yet critical. The spirit I had caught gave me insight into the suffering of others, made me gravitate toward those whose feelings were like my own, made me sit for hours while others told me of their lives, made me strangely tender and cruel, violent and peaceful.