O shame to men! Devil with devil damned Firm concord…
“O shame to men! Devil with devil damned Firm concord holds, men only disagree Of creatures rational, though under hope Of heavenly grace: and God proclaiming peace, Yet live in hatred, enmity, and strife Among themselves, and levy cruel wars, Wasting the earth, each other to destroy: As if (which might induce us to accord) Man had not hellish foes enough besides, That day and night for his destruction wait.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Human beings, despite divine guidance, fall into conflict and war, ignoring the peace offered by higher powers
In simple terms: People fight despite being given peace
Key Takeaway
Recognize and pursue peace over conflict
Themes
conflict
religion
human nature
Mood
tragic
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political negotiations
- interfaith dialogue
- community building
- personal disputes
Key Concepts
Free will
theodicy
moral failure
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives humans to choose war over peace?
- Can divine guidance truly prevent conflict?
A Different Perspective
Peace is difficult when self‑interest dominates