Just deeds are the best answer to injurious words.
Interpretation
Actions speak louder than words; one's good actions can counter negative statements made about them.
This quote by John Milton underscores the idea that one can often combat negative speech or criticism through positive actions. Instead of retaliating verbally to harmful words, responding with honorable deeds serves as a more effective and dignified response, illustrating the value of integrity over conflict in personal interactions.
In practice
In a debate about community service, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of taking action rather than just talking about issues.
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.
Even mistakes can be wonderful.
Not until we have become humble and teachable, standing in awe of God's holiness and sovereignty...a cknowledging our own littleness, distrusting our own thoughts, and willing to have our minds turned upside down, can divine wisdom become ours.
Half of my library are old books because I like seeing how people thought about their world at their time. So that I don't get bigheaded about something we just discovered and I can be humble about where we might go next. Because you can see who got stuff right and most of the people who got stuff wrong.
Circumstances-what are circumstances? I make circumstances
All knowledge is partial, infinitesimally partial. Reason is a net thrown out into an ocean. What truth it brings in is a fragment, a glimpse, a scintillation of the whole truth.
My wisdom is as spurned as chaos. What is my nothingness, compared to the amazement that awaits you?
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