John Milton

And from the terror of his countenance, who durst not behold him, that was yet so fair, and lovely to look upon, had not his great transgression chang'd him.

For neither was it fit the Lord of all things Should be unhonour'd, and his works not sung.

To measure things by things, and not by names.

The end of all learning is to know God, and out of that knowledge to love him, and to imitate him, as we may the nearest by possessing our souls of true virtue.

He who destroys a good book, kills reason itself.

To be weak is miserable, Doing or suffering.

Nor love thy life, nor hate; but what thou liv'st Live well, how long or short permit to heaven.

Evil communication corrupts good manners.

What is strength, without a double share Of wisdom?

Truth, indeed, came once into the world with her divine master, and was a perfect shape most glorious to look on: but when he ascended, and his apostles after him were laid asleep, then straight arose a wicked race of deceivers, who, as that story goes of the Egyptian Typhon with his conspirators, how they dealt with the good Osiris, took the virgin Truth, hewed her into a thousand pieces, and scattered them to the four winds.

For what is worth in anything, But so much money as 'twill bring?

Hence, loathed Melancholy, Of Cerberus and blackest Midnight born, In Stygian cave forlorn.

Hence, vain deluding Joys, The brood of Folly without father bred! How little you bested, Or fill the fixed mind with all your toys!

What boots it with incessant care To tend the homely slighted shepherd's trade, And strictly meditate the thankless Muse?

They also serve who only stand and wait.

But O, the heavy change, now thou art gone, Now thou art gone, and never must return!

New Presbyter is but old Priest writ large.

Yet more there be, who doubt him or deride, And think, that all this world was made for show.

Thrice happy men, to whom the Gods have given Such means of bliss!

What if the sun be dark’ned in his sphere, And with no chearful ray salute the spring?