QuoteProject
The lamb misused breeds public strife And yet forgives the butcher's knife.
William Blake
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote reflects the idea of forgiveness and the consequences of conflict.

In this quote, William Blake uses the metaphor of a lamb, representing innocence, that suffers due to the misuse of its gentle nature by others, leading to social discord. Despite such mistreatment, the lamb embodies forgiveness towards those who cause it harm, illustrating a profound commentary on the cycle of violence and the possibility of reconciliation even in the face of injustice.

Themes

ForgivenessInnocenceViolenceConflictReconciliation

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be shared during a discussion about the importance of forgiveness in resolving conflicts.

More from William Blake

Thou art a man God is no more Thy own humanity Learn to adore
William BlakeRead
In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.
William BlakeRead
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.
William BlakeRead
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.
William BlakeRead
As the caterpillar chooses the fairest leaves to lay her eggs on, so the priest lays his curse on the fairest joys.
William BlakeRead
He who would do good to another must do it in minute particulars.
William BlakeRead

Similar quotes

From the beginning men used God to justify the unjustifiable.
Salman RushdieRead
But when a man’s religion becomes really frantic; when it is a positive torment to him; and in fine, makes this earth of ours an uncomfortable inn to lodge in; then I think it high time to take that individual aside and argue the point with him.
MobyRead
However much you feed a wolf, it always looks to the forest. We are all wolves of the dense forest of Eternity.
Marina TsvetaevaRead
My name is Stephen Leeds, and I am perfectly sane. My hallucinations, however, are all quite mad.
Brandon SandersonRead
Whoever then wishes to be free, let him neither wish for anything nor avoid anything which depends on others: if he does not observe this rule, he must be a slave.
EpictetusRead
There was a kindliness about intoxication - there was that indescribable gloss and glamour it gave, like the memories of ephemeral and faded evenings.
F. Scott FitzgeraldRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.