What am I pondering, you ask? So help me God, immortality.
Interpretation
The quote reflects a deep contemplation on the concept of immortality and the significance it holds in human thought.
In this quote by John Milton, the speaker reveals that they are engaged in a profound thought about immortality, suggesting that the concept is of great importance to them. The invocation of divine help emphasizes the weightiness of the idea, as pondering immortality often leads to existential questions about life, purpose, and what lies beyond death.
In practice
During a lecture on philosophy, one might use this quote to initiate a discussion on the implications of immortality.
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 plain working truth is that it is not only good for people to be shocked occasionally, but absolutely necessary to the progress of society that they should be shocked pretty often.
To a wise and good man the whole earth is his fatherland.
If nations perish, it is not because of their devotion to liberty, but for their disregard of its requirements.
And there lies the horror: the past we remember is devoid of time. Impossible to reexperience a love the way we reread a book or resee a film.
Where the statue stood Of Newton, with his prism and silent face, The marble index of a mind forever Voyaging through strange seas of thought alone.
I did not do it. Yet now I wish I had.β He turned to face the hall, that sea of pale faces. βI wish I had enough poison for you all. You make me sorry that I am not the monster you would have me be, yet there it is. I am innocent, but I will get no justice here.
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