He 's gone, and who knows how he may report Thy words by adding fuel to the flame?
Interpretation
The quote reflects the uncertainty and potential consequences of someone misinterpreting or miscommunicating our words after they have left.
In this quote, John Milton expresses concern over the potential for distortion of one's words after they have been spoken, especially in the context of relationships. It highlights the idea that when someone departs, there is a risk that they may convey our intentions inaccurately, possibly intensifying any existing issues or conflicts. This serves as a reminder of the importance of clear communication and the unpredictability of others' interpretations.
In practice
Using this quote during a discussion about the importance of honesty in relationships.
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.
In every democracy, it is the people's will that is supreme. We should translate the intense yearning of the people of India and Pakistan for friendship into meaningful measures of cooperation in every walk of life.
Whenever a husband and wife begin to discuss their marriage they are giving evidence at a coroner's inquest.
Forgiving does not erase the bitter past. A healed memory is not a deleted memory. Instead, forgiving what we cannot forget creates a new way to remember. We change the memory of our past into a hope for our future.
Like all good things, prayer requires some discipline. Yet I believe that life with God should seem more like friendship than duty. Prayer includes moments of ecstasy and also dullness, mindless distraction and acute concentration, flashes of joy and bouts of irritation. In other words, prayer has features in common with all relationships that matter.
Society does not need more children; but it does need more loved children. Quite literally, we cannot afford unloved children - but we pay heavily for them every day. There should not be the slightest communal concern when a woman elects to destroy the life of her thousandth-of-an-ounce embryo. But all society should rise up in alarm when it hears that a baby that is not wanted is about to be born.
People are not problems to be solved. They are mysteries to be explored.
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