John Milton Quotes

So scented the grim Feature, and upturn'd His nostril wide into the murky air, Sagacious of his quarry from so far.

The nodding horror of whose shady brows Threats the forlorn and wandering passenger.

We read not that Christ ever exercised force but once; and that was to drive profane ones out of his Temple, not to force them in.

I sung of Chaos and Eternal Night, Taught by the heav'nly Muse to venture down The dark descent, and up to reascend.

Education of youth is not a bow for every man to shoot in that counts himself a teacher; but will require sinews almost equal to those which Homer gave to Ulysses.

Sable-vested Night, eldest of things.

At His birth a star, unseen before in heaven, proclaims Him come.

For books are as meats and viands are; some of good, some of evil sub-stance.

The helmed Cherubim, And sworded Seraphim, Are seen in glittering ranks with wings display'd.

Angels contented with their face in heaven, Seek not the praise of men.

Bid amaranthus all his beauty shed, And daffodillies fill their cups with tears, To strew the laureate to hearse when Lycid lies.

For men to tell how human life began Is hard; for who himself beginning knew?

Imparadis'd in one another's arms.

And the earth self-balanced on her centre hung.

All seemed well pleased, all seemed, but were not all.

It is not virtue, wisdom, valour, wit, Strength, comeliness of shape, or amplest merit, That woman's love can win, or long inherit; But what it is, hard is to say, Harder to hit.

Freely we serve, Because we freely love, as in our will To love or not; in this we stand or fall.

What is dark within me, illumine.

Let us descend now therefore from this top Of speculation.

The liberty of conscience, which above all other things ought to be to all men dearest and most precious.

Now I see Peace to corrupt no less than war to waste.

Calm of mind, all passion spent.

A good principle not rightly understood may prove as hurtful as a bad.

No worthy enterprise can be done by us without continual plodding and wearisomeness to our faint and sensitive abilities.

A boundless continent, Dark, waste, and wild, under the frown of night Starless expos'd.

How gladly would I meet mortality, my sentence, and be earth in sensible! How glad would lay me down, as in my mother's lap! There I should rest, and sleep secure.

Ornate rhetorick taught out of the rule of Plato.... To which poetry would be made subsequent, or indeed rather precedent, as being less suttle and fine, but more simple, sensuous, and passionate.

As children gath'ring pebbles on the shore. Or if I would delight my private hours With music or with poem, where so soon As in our native language can I find That solace?

These are thy glorious works, Parent of good!

Satan; so call him now, his former name Is heard no more in heaven.

None But such as are good men can give good things, And that which is not good, is not delicious To a well-govern'd and wise appetite.

Above the smoke and stir of this dim spot Which men call earth.

Just are the ways of God, And justifiable to men; Unless there be who think not God at all.

Rather than be less Car'd not to be at all.

Only this I know, That one celestial father gives to all.

With eyes Of conjugal attraction unreprov'd. Imparadised in one another's arms. With thee conversing I forget all time. And feel that I am happier than I know.

Sport, that wrinkled Care derides, And Laughter holding both his sides. Come and trip it as ye go, On the light fantastic toe.

The pilot of the Galilean lake; Two massy keys he bore, of metals twain (The golden opes, the iron shuts amain).

The first and wisest of them all professed To know this only, that he nothing knew.

They are the troublers, they are the dividers of unity, who neglect and don't permit others to unite those dissevered pieces which are yet wanting to the body of Truth.

Indu'd With sanctity of reason.

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.

And join with thee calm Peace and Quiet, Spare Fast, that oft with gods doth diet.

Ah gentle pair, ye little think how nigh Your change approaches, when all these delights Will vanish and deliver ye to woe, More woe, the more your taste is now of joy.

Nor jealousy Was understood, the injur'd lover's hell.

Yet I argue not Against Heav'n's hand or will, nor bate a jot Of heart or hope; but still bear up and steer Right onward.

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.

And some are fall'n, to disobedience fall'n, And so from Heav'n to deepest Hell; O fall From what high state of bliss into what woe!

O when meet now Such pairs, in love and mutual honour joined?

Death to life is crown or shame.