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John Milton Quotes

1608–1674 England

John Milton (9 December 1608 – 8 November 1674) was an English poet, polemicist, man of letters, and a civil servant for the Commonwealth of England under Oliver Cromwell. He wrote at a time of religious flux and political upheaval, and is most famous for his epic poem Paradise Lost (1667), written in blank verse.

England
Essayists
Philosophers
Poets
Theologians

Also known as: Milton, Milton, John, Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce

Random John Milton quote

502 quotes

Yet, where an equal poise of hope and fear
Does arbitrate the event, my nature is
That I incline to hope rather than fear,
And gladly banish squint suspicion.

Comus (1637)

Then to the spicy nut-brown ale.

L'Allegro (1631)

Sonorous metal blowing martial sounds,
At which the universal host up sent
A shout that tore hell's concave, and beyond
Frighted the reign of Chaos and old Night.

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.

So clomb the first grand thief into God's fold;
So since into his church lewd hirelings climb.

Impostor; do not charge most innocent Nature,
As if she would her children should be riotous

Comus (1637)

So well to know
Her own, that what she wills to do or say
Seems wisest, virtuousest, discreetest, best.

So when the sun in bed,
Curtain'd with cloudy red,
Pillows his chin upon an orient wave.

To reign is worth ambition though in Hell:
Better to reign in Hell, than serve in Heaven.

Paradise Lost (1667)

A Spirit, zealous, as he seemed, to know
More of the Almighty's works, and chiefly Man,
God's latest image.

So spake the Fiend, and with necessity,
The tyrant's plea, excused his devilish deed.

So saying, with despatchful looks in haste
She turns, on hospitable thoughts intent.

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

Il Penseroso (1631)

So he with difficulty and labor hard
Mov'd on, with difficulty and labor he.

Who would not, finding way, break loose from hell,
* * * * * *
And boldly venture to whatever place
Farthest from pain?

Herbs, and other country messes,
Which the neat-handed Phillis dresses.

L'Allegro (1631)

So frown'd the mighty combatants, that hell
Grew darker at their frown.

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

The end then of learning is to repair the ruins of our first parents.

Tractate of Education (1644)

The cock with lively din
Scatters the rear of darkness thin,
And to the stack or the barn door
Stoutly struts his dames before.

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: John Milton (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.