Smiles from reason flow, To brute deny'd, and are of love the food.
Interpretation
This quote suggests that smiles and happiness stem from love, even in the face of adversity.
John Milton expresses the idea that true joy and smiles arise from love, indicating that love is essential and nourishing for the human spirit. Even when faced with challenges and harshness ('brute deny'd'), the ability to smile signifies a deeper connection to love that sustains and uplifts individuals.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of relationships, you might cite this quote to emphasize how love brings happiness.
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.
Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, leave the rest to God.
Once I knew the depth where no hope was and darkness lay on the face of all things. Then love came and set my soul free.
My grandfather died when I was 12, but I remember the sorrow of my mother. Even now, she's an old lady, but when she speaks about her father, she looks young. A love like that is undefeated, you know?
Governments move armies, but only individuals can move hearts. And with every act of love that emanates from any of us, we are activating miracles, adding to a spiritual ocean that in time will purify our planet of all vestiges of fear. Love alone can triumph over hate, and if we give it the chance, it will.
Bitterness imprisons life; love releases it. Bitterness paralyzes life; love empowers it. Bitterness sours life; love sweetens it. Bitterness sickens life; love heals it. Bitterness blinds life; love anoints its eyes.
One frequently only finds out how really beautiful a beautiful woman is after considerable acquaintance with her.
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