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.
The law itself is on trial quite as much as the cause which is to be decided.
In his dream she was sick and he cared for her. The dream bore the look of sacrifice but he thought differently. He did not take care of her and she died alone somewhere in the dark and there is no other dream nor other waking world and there is no other tale to tell.
People use drugs, legal and illegal, because their lives are intolerably painful or dull. They hate their work and find no rest in their leisure. They are estranged from their families and their neighbors. It should tell us something that in healthy societies drug use is celebrative, convivial, and occasional, whereas among us it is lonely, shameful, and addictive. We need drugs, apparently, because we have lost each other.
Discrimination is not liberal. Arguing against discrimination is not intolerance.
Two possibilities exist: Either we are alone in the Universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying.
Implicity, there should be something mysterious in every day.
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