With ruin upon ruin, rout on rout, Confusion worse confounded.
Interpretation
This quote suggests that chaos and confusion are compounded, leading to deeper disarray.
John Milton's quote reflects the overwhelming nature of confusion in times of turmoil. It emphasizes how successive failures and disasters can lead to a state of confusion that makes it even more challenging to find clarity or a way forward. The phrase illustrates the human experience in the face of adversity, where one setback leads to another, creating an environment where understanding and solutions feel elusive.
In practice
In a speech about resilience during difficult times, you might use this quote to illustrate the escalation of challenges.
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.
I hope to see the two great religions, Islam and Christianity, hand-in-hand, embracing each other. Then the Torah and the Bible and the Qurβan will become books supporting one another being read everywhere, and respected by every nation β¦ [I am] looking forward to seeing Muslims read the Torah and the Bible.
No one has ever become poor by giving.
We should distinguish at this point between "government" and "state" ... A government is the consensual organization by which we adjudicate disputes, defend our rights, and provide for certain common needs ... A state on the other hand, is a coercive organization asserting or enjoying a monopoly over the use of physical force in some geographic area and exercising power over its subjects.
Infinite power of the spirit, brought to bear upon matter evolves material development, made to act upon thought evolves intellectuality, and made to act upon itself makes of man a God. First, let us be Gods, and then help other to be GOds. Be and Make. Let this be our motto.
Life is the farce we are all forced to endure.
Nothing exists; even if something exists, nothing can be known about it; and even if something can be known about it, knowledge about it can't be communicated to others.
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