I will not deny but that the best apology against false accusers is silence and sufferance, and honest deeds set against dishonest words.
Interpretation
Silence and good actions are the best responses to false accusations.
In this quote, John Milton expresses the idea that responding to slander should not entail engaging in confrontation or rebuttal. Instead, enduring the falsehoods with resilience and demonstrating integrity through honest actions serve as a more powerful and effective means of addressing the wrongs of accusers.
In practice
This quote can inspire someone facing workplace gossip to focus on their work rather than reacting to slander.
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.
Families, friends and communities often find a source of courage rising up from within. Indeed, sadly, it seems that it is tragedy that often draws out the most and the best from the human spirit.
When I was picked to fly the X-1, it was my duty to fly it, and I did.
I sat down in the sand, breathless with shame and failure. God, I thought, some defender of the weak. Some freedom fighter: Joan of Arc in sunscreen.
Courage consists in equality to the problem before us.
In talking about my cancer with family and friends, I feel the love that I know will get me through this. The old strategy of suffering in silence could not have been more misguided.
I suffered from post-natal depression after Rowan was born. I had a healthy, beautiful baby girl and I couldn't look at her. I couldn't hold her, smile at her. All I wanted was to disappear and die.
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