Such Pleasure took the Serpent to behold This Flourie…
““ Such Pleasure took the Serpent to behold This Flourie Plat, the sweet recess of EVE Thus earlie, thus alone; her Heav'nly forme Angelic, but more soft, and Feminine, Her graceful Innocence, her every Aire Of gesture or lest action overawd His Malice, and with rapine sweet bereav'd His fierceness of the fierce intent it brought: That space the Evil one abstracted stood From his own evil, and for the time remaind Stupidly good, of enmitie disarm'd, Of guile, of hate, of envie, of revenge; But the hot Hell that alwayes in him burnes, Though in mid Heav'n, soon ended his delight, And tortures him now more, the more he sees Of pleasure not for him ordain'd: then soon Fierce hate he recollects, and all his thoughts Of mischief, gratulating, thus excites.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage contrasts the alluring yet deceptive nature of pleasure with the ensuing hatred and torment it provokes in the sinner.
In simple terms: Pleasure seems sweet but leads to hatred and suffering.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and resist seductive temptations.
Themes
tempttemptation
morality
consequence
inner conflict
spiritual struggle
Mood
conflicted
reflective
somber
Type
literary
philosophical
spiritual
When to use this quote
- Personal relationships
- addiction recovery
- ethical decision making
- spiritual contemplation
Key Concepts
Theodicy
human nature
dualism
free will
Questions to Reflect On
- What hidden costs accompany your pleasures?
- How can you discern true fulfillment?
A Different Perspective
Pleasure can be fleeting and may mask deeper destructive impulses.