And fast by, hanging in a golden chain, This pendent world, in bigness as a star Of smallest magnitude, close by the moon.
Interpretation
The quote reflects on the insignificance of the earthly world in comparison to the vastness of the universe.
John Milton's quote depicts a profound philosophical contemplation about the nature of existence and the relative scale of our world. By comparing the earthly realmβa 'pendent world'βto a 'star of smallest magnitude,' it highlights how minuscule our lives and concerns are against the grand backdrop of the universe, often evoking a sense of humility and reflection on what truly matters in life.
In practice
This quote could be shared during a lecture on philosophy to emphasize the perspective of human existence in the universe.
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.
The whole realm of morality and ethics is something that has escaped the attention of women, by and large. And it needs the attention of intellectual women most desperately.
The most curious social convention of the great age in which we live is the one to the effect that religious opinions should be respected.
The pursuit of truth does not permit violence on one's opponent.
Laughter. Yes, laughter is the Zen attitude towards death and towards life too, because life and death are not separate. Whatsoever is your attitude towards life will be your attitude towards death, because death comes as the ultimate flowering of life. Life exists for death. Life exists through death. Without death there will be no life at all. Death is not the end but the culmination, the crescendo. Death is not the enemy it is the friend. It makes life possible.
And if these incidents now seem full of significance and all of a piece, it's probably because I'm looking at them in the light of what came later.
When you have a global mush, people lose their identity, they become pseudonyms, they have no investment and no consequence in what they do.
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