Beauty stands In the admiration only of weak minds Led captive.
Interpretation
True beauty is not just surface-level admiration; it often reflects the superficiality of those who only see the surface.
John Milton's quote suggests that what is often deemed as beauty can be a mere product of weak minds that are entrapped by superficial appearances. It implies that genuine appreciation of beauty requires a deeper understanding and perception beyond what is immediately visible, challenging individuals to cultivate inner strength and insight rather than be prisoners of shallow admiration.
In practice
In a discussion about art appreciation, one could use this quote to emphasize that true beauty is often overlooked by those who do not seek deeper meaning.
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 ethic of liberal individualism has so deeply permeated the psyches of blacks... of all classes that we have little support for a political ethic of communalism that promotes the sharing of resources.
For sorrow there is no remedy provided by nature; it is often occasioned by accidents irreparable, and dwells upon objects that have lost or changed their existence; it requires what it cannot hope, that the laws of the universe should be repealed; that the dead should return, or the past should be recalled.
To destroy a man is difficult, almost as difficult as to create one: it has not been easy, nor quick, but you Germans have succeeded. Here we are, docile under your gaze; from our side you have nothing more to fear; no acts of violence, no words of defiance, not even a look of judgment.
Luck serves ... as rationalization for every people that is not master of its own destiny.
All men are children, and of one family. The same tale sends them all to bed, and wakes them in the morning.
The most powerful prayer, one wellnigh omnipotent, and the worthiest work of all is the outcome of a quiet mind. The quieter it is the more powerful, the worthier, the deeper, the more telling and more perfect the prayer is.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.