Quote

How oft, in nations gone corrupt, And by their own devices brought down to servitude, That man chooses bondage before liberty. Bondage with ease before strenuous liberty.

John Milton

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

John Milton
Age: 65 †
Born: 1608
Born: December 9
Died: 1674
Died: November 8
Poet
Politician
Writer
Nations
Servitude
Gone
Chooses
Men
Corrupt
Bondage
Devices
Ease
Brought
Liberty
Strenuous

More quotes by John Milton

Image
His words, like so many nimble and airy servitors, trip about him at command. Ibid.
John Milton
Image
The spirits perverse with easy intercourse pass to and fro, to tempt or punish mortals.
John Milton
Image
The teachers of our law, and to propose What might improve my knowledge or their own.
John Milton
Image
But that from us aught should ascend to Heav'n So prevalent as to concern the mind Of God, high-bless'd, or to incline His will, Hard to belief may seem yet this will prayer.
John Milton
Image
In vain doth valour bleed, While Avarice and Rapine share the land.
John Milton
Image
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?
John Milton
Image
Yet once more, O ye laurels, and once more Ye myrtles brown, with ivy never sere, I come to pluck your berries harsh and crude, And with forced fingers rude Shatter your leaves before the mellowing year.
John Milton
Image
Most men admire Virtue who follow not her lore.
John Milton
Image
Be lowly wise: Think only what concerns thee and thy being.
John Milton
Image
And join with thee calm Peace and Quiet, Spare Fast, that oft with gods doth diet.
John Milton
Image
Our torments also may in length of time Become our elements, these piercing fires As soft as now severe, our temper changed Into their temper.
John Milton
Image
Where glowing embers through the room Teach light to counterfeit a gloom.
John Milton
Image
Truth and understanding are not such wares as to be monopolized and traded in by tickets and statutes and standards. We must not think to make a staple commodity of all the knowledge in the land, to mark and license it like our broadcloth and our woolpacks.
John Milton
Image
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.
John Milton
Image
God doth not need Either man's work or his own gifts. Who best Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state Is kingly: thousands at his bidding speed, And post o'er land and ocean without rest They also serve who only stand and wait.
John Milton
Image
Look homeward, Angel, now, and melt with ruth.
John Milton
Image
Methinks I see in my mind a noble and puissant nation rousing herself like a strong man after sleep, and shaking her invincible locks methinks I see her as an eagle mewing her mighty youth, and kindling her undazzled eyes at the full midday beam.
John Milton
Image
When language in common use in any country becomes irregular and depraved, it is followed by their ruin and degradation. For what do terms used without skill or meaning, which are at once corrupt and misapplied, denote but a people listless, supine, and ripe for servitude?
John Milton
Image
Heav'nly love shall outdoo Hellish hate
John Milton
Image
Our reason is our law.
John Milton