Smiles from reason flow, To brute deny'd, and are of love the food.
Interpretation
This quote suggests that smiles and happiness stem from love, even in the face of adversity.
John Milton expresses the idea that true joy and smiles arise from love, indicating that love is essential and nourishing for the human spirit. Even when faced with challenges and harshness ('brute deny'd'), the ability to smile signifies a deeper connection to love that sustains and uplifts individuals.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of relationships, you might cite this quote to emphasize how love brings happiness.
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.
There is always some madness in love. But there is also always some reason in madness.
Love never claims, it ever gives. Love ever suffers, never resents never revenges itself.
O what a heaven is love! O what a hell!
And his unkindness may defeat my life, But never taint my love.
Holding someone's hand was always my idea of joy.
The Cross will be for us as it was for Christ: proof of the greatest love.
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