--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: TO MR. CYRIACK SKINNER UPON HIS…" description: "\"“TO MR. CYRIACK SKINNER UPON HIS BLINDNESS\" Cyriack, this three years day these eys, though clear To outward view, of blemish or of spot; Bereft of lig..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7e/john-milton-191_blind_to-mr-cyriack-skinner-upon-his-blindness_331696.png" --- # TO MR. CYRIACK SKINNER UPON HIS BLINDNESS" Cyriack, this… ![“TO MR. CYRIACK SKINNER UPON HIS BLINDNESS" Cyriack, this three years day these eys, though clear To outward view, of blemish or of spot; Bereft of light thir seeing have forgot, Nor to thir idle orbs doth sight appear Of Sun or Moon or Starre throughout the year, Or man or woman. Yet I argue not…” quote by John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7e/john-milton-191_blind_to-mr-cyriack-skinner-upon-his-blindness_331696.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7e/john-milton-191_blind_to-mr-cyriack-skinner-upon-his-blindness_331696.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7e/john-milton-191_blind_to-mr-cyriack-skinner-upon-his-blindness_331696.png) > ““TO MR. CYRIACK SKINNER UPON HIS BLINDNESS" Cyriack, this three years day these eys, though clear To outward view, of blemish or of spot; Bereft of light thir seeing have forgot, Nor to thir idle orbs doth sight appear Of Sun or Moon or Starre throughout the year, Or man or woman. Yet I argue not Against heavns hand or will, nor bate a jot Of heart or hope; but still bear vp and steer Right onward. What supports me, dost thou ask? The conscience, Friend, to have lost them overply’d In libertyes defence, my noble task, Of which all Europe talks from side to side. This thought might lead me through the world’s vain mask Content though blind, had I no better guide.”” [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 poet addresses a blind friend, emphasizing that inner conscience and purpose guide him despite lack of sight, urging perseverance and moral focus. **In simple terms:** Inner guidance outweighs physical limitations. Key Takeaway Follow your conscience, not just senses. Themes perseverance faith inner vision Mood inspirational philosophical Type poetic reflective When to use this quote - career challenges - personal loss - ethical decisions Key Concepts conscience purpose resilience Questions to Reflect On - How do you find guidance when senses fail? - What inner resources sustain you? A Different Perspective Physical blindness limits perception but not insight. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Blind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blind/) [Blindness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blindness/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Years Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-day-2/) ## Related quotes > [These eyes, tho' clear To outward view of blemish or of spot, Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot, Nor to their idle orbs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/these-eyes-tho-clear-to-outward-view-of-blemish-or-of-spot-bereft-of/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [“Month Date Year Holiday January 3 2011 New years day January 3 2011 New years day May 30 2011 Memorial day May 30 2011 Memorial day July 4 2011 Independence day July”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/month-date-year-holiday-january-3-2011-new-years-day-january-3-2011/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [So, yes I'm 18. no I don't know what I want to be in 10 years but I take each day as it comes.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/so-yes-i-m-18-no-i-don-t-know-what-i-want-to-be-in-10-years-but-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It has been a whirlwind really, it all happened so quickly! I auditioned for Australian Idol for the 3rd time... to see where I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-dearaugo/it-has-been-a-whirlwind-really-it-all-happened-so-quickly-i/) [Kate DeAraugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-dearaugo/) > [Democracy should be practiced not every six years, but every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gael-garcia-bernal/democracy-should-be-practiced-not-every-six-years-but-every-day/) [Gael Garcia Bernal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gael-garcia-bernal/) > [It's been 14 years, and still not a day goes by that I don't miss your dad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sirius-black/it-s-been-14-years-and-still-not-a-day-goes-by-that-i-don-t-miss-your/) [Sirius Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sirius-black/) > [My mom worked at Walmart for 33 years straight. Thirty-three years! Day in and day out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-j-green/my-mom-worked-at-walmart-for-33-years-straight-thirty-three-years-day/) [A. J. Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-j-green/) > [New Years Day is to refuel life with a new enthusiasm that energizes to take everything in a more positive way and helps to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anuj-somany/new-years-day-is-to-refuel-life-with-a-new-enthusiasm-that-energizes/) [Anuj Somany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anuj-somany/) > [I want to kiss you at 11:59 new years eve and again at 12:01 on New Years Day because then it would be the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-tiwari/i-want-to-kiss-you-at-11-59-new-years-eve-and-again-at-12-01-on-new/) [Abhishek Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-tiwari/) > [We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We will put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-will-open-the-book-its-pages-are-blank-we-will-put-words-on-them/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Cuz when you're gone, all the colours fade. When you're gone, no new years day parade. You're gone, colours seem to fade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amos-lee/cuz-when-you-re-gone-all-the-colours-fade-when-you-re-gone-no-new/) [Amos Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amos-lee/) > [Matt and I have set a date. Matt and I will tie the knot New Years Day in the town of Swampscott, Massachusetts. Reserve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-affleck/matt-and-i-have-set-a-date-matt-and-i-will-tie-the-knot-new-years-day/) [Ben Affleck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-affleck/) > [Many people await new years day, to make a new start to their old habits. I wish you otherwise, Happy New Year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/many-people-await-new-years-day-to-make-a-new-start-to-their-old/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-will-open-the-book-its-pages-are-blank-we-are-going-to-put-words/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I spent two years day and night in that studio trying to learn what the hell was going on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-martin/i-spent-two-years-day-and-night-in-that-studio-trying-to-learn-what/) [Max Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-martin/) ## 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? Suspicious, reasonless. Why should their Lord Envy them that? Can it be sin to know, Can it be death? And do they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/knowledge-forbidden-suspicious-reasonless-why-should-their-lord-envy/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [There is no truth sure enough to justify persecution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/there-is-no-truth-sure-enough-to-justify-persecution/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [These eyes, tho' clear To outward view of blemish or of spot, Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot, Nor to their idle orbs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/these-eyes-tho-clear-to-outward-view-of-blemish-or-of-spot-bereft-of/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [New Presbyter is but Old Priest writ Large.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/new-presbyter-is-but-old-priest-writ-large/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [And what is faith, love, virtue unassayed Alone, without exterior help sustained?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-what-is-faith-love-virtue-unassayed-alone-without-exterior-help/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [This is servitude, To serve th'unwise, or him who hath rebelled Against his worthier, as thine now serve thee, Thyself not free, but to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/this-is-servitude-to-serve-th-unwise-or-him-who-hath-rebelled-against/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Let us seek Death, or he not found, supply With our own hands his office on ourselves; Why stand we longer shivering under fears,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/let-us-seek-death-or-he-not-found-supply-with-our-own-hands-his/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [They are the troublers, they are the dividers of unity, who neglect and don't permit others to unite those dissevered pieces which are yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/they-are-the-troublers-they-are-the-dividers-of-unity-who-neglect-and/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) [Explore all 966 John Milton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) ## More Blind quotes > [The Rosary is the book of the blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/the-rosary-is-the-book-of-the-blind/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [Love is so blind, it feels right when it's wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beyonce-knowles/love-is-so-blind-it-feels-right-when-it-s-wrong/) [Beyonce Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beyonce-knowles/) > [... Arthur Gride, whose bleared eyes gloated only over the outward beauties, and were blind to the spirit which reigned within, evinced - a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/arthur-gride-whose-bleared-eyes-gloated-only-over-the-outward/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [“A man who saw has turned blind, A hearer deaf, A leader now leads astray!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miriam-lichtheim/a-man-who-saw-has-turned-blind-a-hearer-deaf-a-leader-now-leads-astray/) [Miriam Lichtheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miriam-lichtheim/) > [“What I shall feel to-morrow I cannot tell. Maybe I shall go blind again, for women are never two days alike in their minds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-parker/what-i-shall-feel-to-morrow-i-cannot-tell-maybe-i-shall-go-blind/) [Gilbert Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-parker/) > [Now the stage today is to know that Self Realization gives you experiences and then your faith is established. Not blind but open enlightened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nirmala-srivastava/now-the-stage-today-is-to-know-that-self-realization-gives-you/) [Nirmala Srivastava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nirmala-srivastava/) > [The more I produce, the less I am certain. On the road along which the artist walks, night falls ever more densely. Finally, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/the-more-i-produce-the-less-i-am-certain-on-the-road-along-which-the/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [“The heart’s blind. It’s the head that causes all the trouble. Sometimes both are stupid.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-bromberg/the-heart-s-blind-it-s-the-head-that-causes-all-the-trouble-sometimes/) [K. Bromberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-bromberg/) > [“In the story of the blind men and the elephant, what’s usually ignored is the fact that each man’s description was correct. What Faye…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-hill/in-the-story-of-the-blind-men-and-the-elephant-what-s-usually-ignored/) [Nathan Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-hill/) > [My favorite performance would definitely be "Toxic," which was my blind audition song. It was the start of it all and it was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-martinez/my-favorite-performance-would-definitely-be-toxic-which-was-my-blind/) [Melanie Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-martinez/) > [Our attitude towards evil must be freed from hatred, and has itself need to be enlightened in character...Satan rejoices when he succeeds in inspiring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikolai-berdyaev/our-attitude-towards-evil-must-be-freed-from-hatred-and-has-itself/) [Nikolai Berdyaev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikolai-berdyaev/) > [If you are the master be sometimes blind, if you are the servant be sometimes deaf.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/if-you-are-the-master-be-sometimes-blind-if-you-are-the-servant-be/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) > [I'm glad I'm blind and can't see it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stevie-wonder/i-m-glad-i-m-blind-and-can-t-see-it/) [Stevie Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stevie-wonder/) > [Shut your eyes and you will know what I mean by thought entombed in darkness. Light comes through the senses, and not only through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lindbergh/shut-your-eyes-and-you-will-know-what-i-mean-by-thought-entombed-in/) [Charles Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lindbergh/) > [Blind with love, my daughter has cried nightly for horses, those long-necked marchers and churners that she has mastered, any and all, reigning them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-sexton/blind-with-love-my-daughter-has-cried-nightly-for-horses-those-long/) [Anne Sexton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-sexton/) [Browse all 3,877 Blind quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blind/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“TO MR. CYRIACK SKINNER UPON HIS BLINDNESS\" Cyriack, this three years day these eys, though clear To outward view, of blemish or of spot; Bereft of light thir seeing have forgot, Nor to thir idle orbs doth sight appear Of Sun or Moon or Starre throughout the year, Or man or woman. Yet I argue not Against heavns hand or will, nor bate a jot Of heart or hope; but still bear vp and steer Right onward. What supports me, dost thou ask? The conscience, Friend, to have lost them overply’d In libertyes defence, my noble task, Of which all Europe talks from side to side. This thought might lead me through the world’s vain mask Content though blind, had I no better guide.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Milton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/to-mr-cyriack-skinner-upon-his-blindness-cyriack-this-three-years-day/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Blind" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/to-mr-cyriack-skinner-upon-his-blindness-cyriack-this-three-years-day/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7e/john-milton-191_blind_to-mr-cyriack-skinner-upon-his-blindness_331696.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7e/john-milton-191_blind_to-mr-cyriack-skinner-upon-his-blindness_331696.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e7e/john-milton-191_blind_to-mr-cyriack-skinner-upon-his-blindness_331696.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“TO MR. CYRIACK SKINNER UPON HIS BLINDNESS\" Cyriack, this three years day these eys, though clear To outward…” — John Milton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Milton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“TO MR. CYRIACK SKINNER UPON HIS...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/to-mr-cyriack-skinner-upon-his-blindness-cyriack-this-three-years-day/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/to-mr-cyriack-skinner-upon-his-blindness-cyriack-this-three-years-day/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```