How gladly would I meet mortality, my sentence, and be earth in sensible! How glad would lay me down, as in my mother's lap! There I should rest, and sleep secure.
Interpretation
The quote expresses a longing for peace and acceptance of death as a return to a state of comfort akin to being in a mother's arms.
In this quote, John Milton reflects on the themes of mortality and the deep desire for tranquility that comes with accepting one's death. He likens the end of life to a restful return to a nurturing state, evoking feelings of safety and innocence, much like a child resting in their mother's lap. This metaphorical imagery illustrates how the concept of mortality can be seen not only as an end but also as a release into a state of peace and security.
In practice
This quote can be used in a eulogy to express a comforting perspective on death.
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 very fact of the death of someone close to them aroused in all who heard about it, as always, a feeling of delight that he had died and they hadn't.
Who are we, if not measured by our impact on others? That’s who we are! We’re not who we say we are, we’re not who we want to be - we are the sum of the influence and impact that we have, in our lives, on others.
The just is close to the people's heart, but the merciful is close to the heart of God.
God seeks comrades and claims love,_x000D_ _x000D_ The devil seeks slaves and claims obedience.
It is almost as if the human brain were specifically designed to misunderstand Darwinism, and to find it hard to believe
I was supposed to be waiting up here when you got back, only your Phoenix lot got in the way...” “Yes, they do that,” said Dumbledore.
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