Son of Heav'n and Earth, Attend: that thou art happy, owe to God; That thou continuest such, owe to thyself, That is, to thy obedience; therein stand.
Interpretation
Happiness is a gift from God, but maintaining it depends on personal responsibility and obedience.
In this quote, John Milton emphasizes the dual nature of happiness as both a divine blessing and a personal achievement. While happiness is bestowed by a higher power, it is ultimately the individual's conduct and adherence to moral principles that sustain it, highlighting the importance of self-discipline and ethical behavior in leading a fulfilling life.
In practice
During a motivational speech about personal responsibility and growth.
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.
All blame is a waste of time. No matter how much fault you find with another, and regardless of how much you blame him, it will not change you. The only thing blame does is to keep the focus off you when you are looking for external reasons to explain your unhappiness or frustration. You may succeed in making another feel guilty about something by blaming him, but you won't succeed in changing whatever it is about you that is making you unhappy.
Irrigators channel waters; fletchers straighten arrows; carpenters bend wood; the wise master themselves.
Unless virtue guide us our choice must be wrong.
If it can be solved, there's no need to worry, and if it can't be solved, worry is of no use.
If you expect nothing, you're apt to be surprised. You'll get it.
I am a humble but very earnest seeker after truth.
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