--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I was all ear, And took in strains that…" description: "\"I was all ear, And took in strains that might create a soul Under the ribs of death.\" — John Milton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48c/john-milton-191_death_i-was-all-ear-and-took-in-strains-that-m_2918627.png" --- # I was all ear, And took in strains that might create a… ![“I was all ear, And took in strains that might create a soul Under the ribs of death.” quote by John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48c/john-milton-191_death_i-was-all-ear-and-took-in-strains-that-m_2918627.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48c/john-milton-191_death_i-was-all-ear-and-took-in-strains-that-m_2918627.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48c/john-milton-191_death_i-was-all-ear-and-took-in-strains-that-m_2918627.png) > “I was all ear, And took in strains that might create a soul Under the ribs of death.” [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker describes listening intently to sounds that could give life even in the face of death. **In simple terms:** Listening can bring life to death. Key Takeaway Seek meaning in all sounds. Themes perception life death art Mood reflective melancholic Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - listening to music - contemplating mortality - creative inspiration Key Concepts Existentialism transcendence aesthetic experience Questions to Reflect On - How can art transform our awareness of mortality? - What does “soul under the ribs of death” suggest? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Strains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strains/) ## Related quotes > [Choosing to mother your kids full-time may seem to some the easy choice, eschewing as it does the stresses and strains of the workplace,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mariella-frostrup/choosing-to-mother-your-kids-full-time-may-seem-to-some-the-easy/) [Mariella Frostrup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mariella-frostrup/) > [In past ages, the law governing the survival of the fittest roughly weeded out the less desirable strains. 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Then, literally the first day,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamasi-washington/i-was-hearing-music-in-my-head-and-trying-to-play-it-on-the-clarinet/) [Kamasi Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamasi-washington/) ## More by John Milton > [Love-quarrels oft in pleasing concord end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/love-quarrels-oft-in-pleasing-concord-end/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [What better can we do than prostrate fall before Him reverent, and there confess humbly our faults, and pardon beg with tears watering the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/what-better-can-we-do-than-prostrate-fall-before-him-reverent-and/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [And, when night Darkens the streets, then wander forth the sons Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-when-night-darkens-the-streets-then-wander-forth-the-sons-of/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [And, re-assembling our afflicted powers, consult how we may henceforth most offend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-re-assembling-our-afflicted-powers-consult-how-we-may-henceforth/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Yet hold it more humane, more heav'nly, first, By winning words to conquer willing hearts, And make persuasion do the work of fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/yet-hold-it-more-humane-more-heav-nly-first-by-winning-words-to/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [O nightingale, that on yon bloomy spray Warblest at eve, when all the woods are still; Thou with fresh hope the lover's heart dost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/o-nightingale-that-on-yon-bloomy-spray-warblest-at-eve-when-all-the/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [The debt immense of endless gratitude, So burthensome, still paying, still to owe; Forgetful what from him I still receivd, And understood not that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/the-debt-immense-of-endless-gratitude-so-burthensome-still-paying/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Knowledge forbidden? 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