Ev'n them who kept thy truth so pure of old, When all our fathers worshipp'd stocks and stones.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the contrast between genuine faith and idolatry.
In this quote, John Milton suggests that even those who have faithfully adhered to truth in the past, when society was engaged in worshipping false idols, have remained steadfast. It highlights the importance of true belief against the backdrop of a world that often chooses materialism and falsehood over spiritual authenticity.
In practice
In a discussion about the importance of valuing authenticity over materialism, this quote can be shared to emphasize genuine beliefs.
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.
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.
Bacchus, that first from out the purple grape_x000D_ _x000D_ Crush'd the sweet poison of misused wine.
Fake is as old as the Eden tree.
As the different streams, having their sources in different places, all mingle their water in the sea; O Lord, so the different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee.
Meaning is what essence becomes when it is divorced from the object of reference and wedded to the word.
We do have to ask ourselves as a culture, what do we want to be? You know, what are our founding values? And if we are a society where everybody should have that fair shot and get a second chance, then we should take the necessary steps to implement that and make it a reality.
I swear the earth shall surely be complete to him or her who shall be complete,_x000D_ _x000D_ The earth remains jagged and broken only to him or her who remains jagged and broken.
There is a growing movement called effective altruism. It's important because it combines both the heart and the head.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.