quote · Legacy record
This is true glory and renown, when God, Looking on the earth, with approbation marks The just man, and divulges him through heaven To all his angels, who with true applause Recount his praises: thus He did to Job, Who famous was in heaven, on earth less known; Where glory is false glory attributed To things not glorious, men not worthy of fame. They err who count it glorious to subdue By conquest far and wide, to over-run Large countries, and in field great battles win, Great cities by assault; what do these worthies, But rob and spoil, burn, slaughter, and enslave Peaceable nations, neighbouring or remote, Made captive, yet deserving freedom more Than those their conquerors, who leave behind Nothing but ruin wheresoe’er they rove, And all the flourishing arts of peace destroy. But if there be in glory aught of good, It may by means far different be attain’d, Without ambition, war, or violence; By deeds of peace, by wisdom eminent, By patience, temperance.
This is true glory and renown, when God, Looking on the earth, with approbation marks The just man, and divulges him through heaven To all his angels, who with true applause Recount his praises: thus He did to Job, Who famous was in heaven, on earth less known; Where glory is false glory attributed To things not glorious, men not worthy of fame. They err who count it glorious to subdue By conquest far and wide, to over-run Large countries, and in field great battles win, Great cities by assault; what do these worthies, But rob and spoil, burn, slaughter, and enslave Peaceable nations, neighbouring or remote, Made captive, yet deserving freedom more Than those their conquerors, who leave behind Nothing but ruin wheresoe’er they rove, And all the flourishing arts of peace destroy. But if there be in glory aught of good, It may by means far different be attain’d, Without ambition, war, or violence; By deeds of peace, by wisdom eminent, By patience, temperance.
Approximate author period: c. 1641 AD · renaissance
Meaning not yet available
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Begin with source-checked readings and explanations ↗Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- John Milton
Attribution: attributed - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Approximate author period: c. 1641 AD · renaissance
author lifetime midpoint (1608–1674)
An author lifetime, approximate period or collection date is not necessarily the date when these words were first written or spoken. - Recorded source
- A Cyclopædia of Sacred Poetical Quotations (catalogued1888) (1888 AD)
Page 250 · printed citation: Milton · subject: GLORY
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