Thirst Quote by John Milton
““ But on they rould in heaps, and up the Trees Climbing, sat thicker then the snakie locks That curld MEGAERA: greedily they pluck'd The Frutage fair to sight, like that which grew Neer that bituminous Lake where SODOM flam'd; This more delusive, not the touch, but taste Deceav'd; they fondly thinking to allay Thir appetite with gust, instead of Fruit Chewd bitter Ashes, which th' offended taste VVith spattering noise rejected: oft they assayd, Hunger and thirst constraining, drugd as oft, VVith hatefullest disrelish writh'd thir jaws VVith foot and cinders fill'd; so oft they fell Into the same illusion, not as Man Whom they triumph'd once lapst. Thus””
About This Quote
Source Poem: Paradise Lost, Book 9, 1667
The passage warns that desire for false pleasures leads to self‑destruction, as people chase deceptive temptations instead of true nourishment.
In simple terms: Chasing false delights harms us.
Key Takeaway
Seek genuine sustenance, avoid illusion.
Themes
desire
illusion
self‑destruction
Mood
cautionary
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- spiritual crisis
- personal growth
- ethical decision‑making
Key Concepts
temptation
false nourishment
hubris
Questions to Reflect On
- What false “fruit” are you pursuing?
- How can you discern true nourishment?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may over‑emphasize moral judgment, ignoring complex motivations.
