--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Virtue may be assailed, but never hurt…" description: "\"Virtue may be assailed, but never hurt, Surprised by unjust force, but not enthralled.\" — John Milton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/762/john-milton-191_character_virtue-may-be-assailed-but-never-hurt-su_2544533.png" --- # Virtue may be assailed, but never hurt, Surprised by… ![“Virtue may be assailed, but never hurt, Surprised by unjust force, but not enthralled.” quote by John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/762/john-milton-191_character_virtue-may-be-assailed-but-never-hurt-su_2544533.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/762/john-milton-191_character_virtue-may-be-assailed-but-never-hurt-su_2544533.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/762/john-milton-191_character_virtue-may-be-assailed-but-never-hurt-su_2544533.png) > “Virtue may be assailed, but never hurt, Surprised by unjust force, but not enthralled.” [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. Virtue can be attacked but remains intact; injustice may surprise but should not dominate. **In simple terms:** Virtue endures despite attacks. Key Takeaway Stand firm in moral integrity. Themes virtue justice resilience Mood reflective serious Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - political activism - personal adversity - legal battles Key Concepts theology ethics Questions to Reflect On - What protects virtue from being broken? - How do you respond to unexpected injustice? A Different Perspective Unjust forces can cause lasting harm. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [Virtue may be assailed, but never hurt, Surprised by unjust force, but not inthralled; Yea, even that which mischief meant most harm Shall in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/virtue-may-be-assailed-but-never-hurt-surprised-by-unjust-force-but-3/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Unjust force can never give any just dominion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-arbuthnot/unjust-force-can-never-give-any-just-dominion/) [John Arbuthnot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-arbuthnot/) > [Virtue may be assailed, but never hurt, Surprised by unjust force, but not enthralled; Yea even that which mischief meant most harm. Shall in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/virtue-may-be-assailed-but-never-hurt-surprised-by-unjust-force-but/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [When my films don't do well, I'm hurt and surprised. It's discouraging.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-gosling/when-my-films-don-t-do-well-i-m-hurt-and-surprised-it-s-discouraging/) [Ryan Gosling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-gosling/) > [Say, heavenly pow'rs, where shall we find such love? 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