"He who reigns within himself and rules his passions, desires, and fears is more than a king is"
— Milton, John (1608-1674)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Date
1671
Metaphor
"He who reigns within himself and rules his passions, desires, and fears is more than a king is"
Metaphor in Context
To him who wears the regal diadem,
When on his shoulders each man's burden lies;
For therein stands the office of a king,
His honour, virtue, merit, and chief praise,
That for the public all this weight he bears.
Yet he who reigns within himself, and rules
Passions, desires, and fears, is more a king -
Which every wise and virtuous man attains;
And who attains not, ill aspires to rule
Cities of men, or headstrong multitudes,
Subject himself to anarchy within,
Or lawless passions in him, which he serves.
But to guide nations in the way of truth
By saving doctrine, and from error lead
To know, and, knowing, worship God aright,
Is yet more kingly[...]
When on his shoulders each man's burden lies;
For therein stands the office of a king,
His honour, virtue, merit, and chief praise,
That for the public all this weight he bears.
Yet he who reigns within himself, and rules
Passions, desires, and fears, is more a king -
Which every wise and virtuous man attains;
And who attains not, ill aspires to rule
Cities of men, or headstrong multitudes,
Subject himself to anarchy within,
Or lawless passions in him, which he serves.
But to guide nations in the way of truth
By saving doctrine, and from error lead
To know, and, knowing, worship God aright,
Is yet more kingly[...]
Provenance
Reading collections of quotations on the internet
Citation
Milton, John. Paradise Regained. 1st World Literary Classics. <Link to www.1stworldlibrary.org>
Date of Entry
09/21/2004
Date of Review
10/16/2006
