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Cruelty has a human heart, And Jealousy a human face…

“Cruelty has a human heart, And Jealousy a human face; Terror the human form divine, And Secresy the human dress. The human dress is forged iron, The human form a fiery forge, The human face a furnace sealed, The human heart its hungry gorge. - "A DIVINE IMAGE” quote by William Blake
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““Cruelty has a human heart, And Jealousy a human face; Terror the human form divine, And Secresy the human dress. The human dress is forged iron, The human form a fiery forge, The human face a furnace sealed, The human heart its hungry gorge. - "A DIVINE IMAGE””

William Blake

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The poem personifies negative emotions as human forms, suggesting they have both divine and terrifying aspects.

In simple terms: Negative emotions are powerful, human, and complex.

Key Takeaway

Acknowledge and transform destructive feelings.

Themes

emotion humanity duality spirituality

Mood

poetic introspective

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • therapy
  • artistic creation
  • spiritual practice
  • conflict resolution

Key Concepts

literature psychology philosophy

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you channel negative emotions constructively?
  • What does “human form divine” mean to you?
A Different Perspective

Ignoring these forces can lead to inner turmoil.

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