John Milton quotes

John Milton was an English poet and intellectual, widely regarded for his epic poem "Paradise Lost." His works have had a profound influence on English literature and political thought. He is celebrated for his powerful language, rich imagination, and deep engagement with themes of freedom and faith. Here are 213 of his quotes:

The mind is a universe and can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven. (John Milton)
Yet he who reigns within himself, and rules Passions, desires, and fears, is more a king. View quote
John Milton
Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven. View quote
John Milton
No man who knows aught, can be so stupid to deny that all men naturally were born free. View quote
John Milton
None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license. View quote
John Milton
Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties. View quote
John Milton
Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world. View quote
John Milton
Who overcomes By force, hath overcome but half his foe. View quote
John Milton
Let not England forget her precedence of teaching nations how to live. View quote
John Milton
He that has light within his own clear breast, May sit i' the centre, and enjoy bright day; But he that hides a dark soul, and foul thoughts, Benighted walks under the mid-day sun; Himself is his own dungeon. View quote
John Milton
How soon hath Time, the subtle thief of youth, Stol'n on his wing my three-and-twentieth year! (John Milton)
From haunted spring and dale Edged with poplar pale The parting genius is with sighing sent. View quote
John Milton
They looking back, all th' Eastern side beheld Of Paradise, so late thir happie seat, Wav'd over by that flaming Brand, the Gate With dreadful Faces throng'd and fierie Armes: Som natural tears they drop'd, but wip'd them soon; The World was all before them, where to choose Thir place of rest, and Providence thir guide: They hand in hand with wandring steps and slow, Through EDEN took thir solitarie way. View quote
John Milton
O fairest flower! no sooner blown but blasted, Soft silken primrose fading timelessly. View quote
John Milton
The oracles are dumb, No voice or hideous hum Runs through the arched roof in words deceiving. Apollo from his shrine Can no more divine, With hollow shriek the steep of Delphos leaving. No nightly trance or breathed spell Inspires the pale-eyed priest from the prophetic cell. View quote
John Milton
Truth...never comes into the world but like a bastard, to the ignominy of him that brought her forth. View quote
John Milton
And storied windows richly dight, Casting a dim religious light. There let the pealing organ blow, To the full-voiced choir below, In service high, and anthems clear As may, with sweetness, through mine ear Dissolve me into ecstasies, And bring all heaven before mine eyes. View quote
John Milton
Avenge, O Lord, thy slaughtered saints, whose bones Lie scattered on the Alpine mountains cold; Ev'n them who kept thy truth so pure of old When all our fathers worshipped stocks and stones Forget not. View quote
John Milton
Ornate rhetoric thought out of the rule of Plato... To which poetry would be made subsequent, or indeed rather precedent, as being less subtle and fine, but more simple, sensuous, and passionate. View quote
John Milton
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. View quote
John Milton
Sport, that wrinkled Care derides, And Laughter, holding both his sides. Come, and trip it, as you go. On the light fantastic toe. (John Milton)
Hence, loathèd Melancholy, Of Cerberus and blackest Midnight born, In Stygian cave forlorn, 'Mongst horrid shapes, and shrieks, and sights unholy. View quote
John Milton
Peace hath her victories No less renowned than war. View quote
John Milton
Hide me from day's garish eye, While the bee with honied thigh, That at her flowery work doth sing, And the waters murmuring With such consort as they keep, Entice the dewy-feathered sleep. View quote
John Milton
He touch'd the tender stops of various quills, With eager thought warbling his Doric lay. View quote
John Milton