Spirits that live throughout, Vital in every part, not as frail man, In entrails, heart or head, liver or reins, Cannot but by annihilating die.
Interpretation
The quote reflects the idea of the resilience of the spirit versus the frailty of the body, emphasizing that true essence cannot be destroyed.
In this quote, John Milton conveys the concept that the spirit is a persistent and vital force in all aspects of existence, contrasting it with the human body, which is inherently fragile and subject to decay. He suggests that while the physical form may perish, the spirit endures beyond physical limitations, highlighting a philosophical contemplation of life, death, and the nature of existence.
In practice
In a discussion about the afterlife, one might reference this quote to illustrate the idea that the spirit transcends physical death.
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.
Dreams are real as long as they last. Can we say more of life?
The problems of aging present an opportunity to rethink our social and personal lives in order to ensure the dignity and welfare of each individual.
He that is already corrupt is naturally suspicious, and he that becomes suspicious will quickly become corrupt.
There's a basic philosophy here that by empowering...workers you'll make their jobs far more interesting, and they'll be able to work at a higher level than they would have without all that information just a few clicks away.
The ear tends to be lazy, craves the familiar and is shocked by the unexpected; the eye, on the other hand, tends to be impatient, craves the novel and is bored by repetition.
What makes the desert beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well.
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