Accord Quote by John Milton
“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
Source Poem: Paradise Lost, Book I, 1667
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
