John Milton

No man who knows aught, can be so stupid to deny that all men naturally were born free.

Where there is much desire to learn, there of necessity will be much arguing, much writing, many opinions; for knowledge is as food, and needs no less variety than appetite.

Truth is compared in Scripture to a streaming fountain; if her waters flow not in a perpetual progression, they sicken into a muddy pool of conformity and tradition.

For what is life, but the quintessence of pleasure, if we be not in a perpetual motion of enjoyment?

Henceforth I learn, that to obey is best, and love with awe the invisible King.

Abashed the devil stood, and felt how awful goodness is.

Darkness visible.

Who overcomes by force, hath overcome but half his foe.

Chaos umpire sits, and by decision more embroils the fray by which he reigns: next him high arbiter Chance governs all.

Though fall'n on evil days, on evil days though fall'n, and with laborious steps pursue my destined way.

Such as the dead are, and their memory; Such as the dead are, and their memory.

He knew that the eyes of all Europe were upon him.

Licence they mean when they cry liberty.

Hence, loathed Melancholy, Of Cerberus and blackest midnight born, In Stygian cave forlorn 'Mongst horrid shapes, and shrieks, and sights unholy!

Or let my lamp at midnight hour Be seen in some high lonely tower, Where I may oft outwatch the Bear, With thrice-great Hermes, or unsphere The spirit of Plato to unfold What worlds or what vast regions hold The immortal mind that hath forsook Her mansion in this fleshly nook.

For neither man nor angel can discern Hypocrisy, the only evil that walks Invisible, except to God alone, By His permissive will, through Heaven and Earth.

How charming is divine Philosophy! Not harsh, and crabbed, as dull fools suppose, But musical as is Apollo's lute, And a perpetual feast of nectared sweets, Where no crude surfeit reigns.

Rocks, caves, lakes, fens, bogs, dens, and shades of death.

Millions of spiritual creatures walk the earth unseen, both when we wake, and when we sleep.

The hungry sheep look up, and are not fed, But swoln with wind, and the rank mist they draw, Rot inwardly, and foul contagion spread.