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.
Loneliness is the first thing which God's eye named not good.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Loneliness is inherently negative and undesirable according to divine observation.
This quote from John Milton suggests that loneliness is fundamentally considered a negative state by God. It implies that human beings were created for companionship and connection, and the experience of solitude is seen as lacking the goodness inherent in human relationships. The mention of God's eye highlights the belief that this observation is not merely a human perception but divinely acknowledged.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about mental health, one might say, 'As John Milton noted, loneliness is the first thing which God's eye named not good, reminding us of the importance of fostering connections.'
More from John Milton
All quotes βThe 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.
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As for myself, I always willingly acknowledge my own self as the principal cause of every good and of every evil which may befall me; therefore, I have always found myself capable of being my own pupil, and ready to love my teacher.