Is it true, O Christ in heaven, that the highest suffer the most? That the strongest wander furthest and most hopelessly are lost? That the mark of rank in nature is capacity for pain? That the anguish of the singer makes the sweetness of the strain?
Interpretation
The quote explores the paradox of suffering and strength, suggesting that those who are greatest often endure the greatest pain.
In this quote, John Milton reflects on the depths of human experience, questioning whether true strength and rank in nature are defined by the capacity to endure suffering. He implies that the most profound artists and individuals often transform their anguish into beauty, suggesting that pain can be a source of creative inspiration and that those who possess the greatest gifts may also bear the heaviest burdens.
In practice
During a speech on the complexities of life, one might quote this to emphasize the relationship between suffering and creativity.
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 surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us.
Grief seems at first to destroy not just all patterns, but also to destroy a belief that a pattern exists.
Mold clay into a bowl. The empty space makes it useful.
What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.[What is a sorrow? A feeling whose benefits have not yet been discovered]
We are so presumptuous that we should like to be known all over the world, even by people who will only come when we are no more. Such is our vanity that the good opinion of half a dozen of the people around us gives us pleasure and satisfaction.
It is among the evils of slavery that it taints the very sources of moral principle. It establishes false estimates of virtue and vice: for what can be more false and heartless than this doctrine which makes the first and holiest rights of humanity to depend upon the color of the skin?
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.