And oft, though wisdom wake, suspicion sleeps At wisdom's gate, and to simplicity Resigns her charge, while goodness thinks no ill Where no ill seems.
Interpretation
This quote reflects the idea that wisdom often yields to simplicity and goodness, leading to a state of trust and innocence.
John Milton highlights the interplay between wisdom and simplicity, suggesting that when wisdom is present, it often allows suspicion to rest. In times where goodness prevails, it engenders an atmosphere of trust and innocence, where people do not assume ill intentions when none are apparent. This quote invites reflection on the importance of having a trusting perspective in our interactions with others.
In practice
This quote can be included in a speech about the importance of trust in relationships.
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.
You can't get there by bus, only by hard work and risk and by not quite knowing what you're doing. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover will be yourself.
Our lives are a sum total of the choices we have made.
Neglect of duty does not cease, by repetition, to be neglect of duty.
Pride is that which claims to be the author of what is really a gift.
People like it when they understand something that they previously thought they couldn't understand. It's a sense of empowerment.
To have something to say is a question of sleepless nights and worry and endless ratiocination of subject - of endless trying to dig out the essential truth, the essential justice. As a first premise you have to develop a conscience and if on top of that you have talent so much the better. But if you have talent without the conscience, you are just one of many thousands of journalists.
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