Spirits that live throughout, Vital in every part, not as frail man, In entrails, heart or head, liver or reins, Cannot but by annihilating die.
Interpretation
The quote reflects the idea of the resilience of the spirit versus the frailty of the body, emphasizing that true essence cannot be destroyed.
In this quote, John Milton conveys the concept that the spirit is a persistent and vital force in all aspects of existence, contrasting it with the human body, which is inherently fragile and subject to decay. He suggests that while the physical form may perish, the spirit endures beyond physical limitations, highlighting a philosophical contemplation of life, death, and the nature of existence.
In practice
In a discussion about the afterlife, one might reference this quote to illustrate the idea that the spirit transcends physical death.
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.
I wanted us to share the sense that the number of wrong moves far exceeds the number of good moves, to share the frightening instability of the correct decision, to bond in being confounded.
Thy wish was father, Harry, to that thought.
No man is so methodical as a complete idler, and none so scrupulous in measuring out his time as he whose time is worth nothing.
It is among men of genius and science that atheism alone is found.
For the very reason that we expect things to be good and beautiful, they won't be. In genuine spirituality, we don't look for bliss.
I'm still there, watching those possessed children, as far away from the mystery now as I was then. I've never written, though I thought I wrote, never loved, though I thought I loved, never done anything but wait outside the closed door.
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