Cruelty Quote by William Blake
“A DIVINE IMAGE Cruelty has a human heart, And Jealousy a human face; Terror the human form divine, And Secresy the human dress. The human dress is forged iron, The human form a fiery forge, The human face a furnace sealed, The human heart its hungry gorge.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Book of Thel, 1789
The poem juxtaposes human emotions and qualities with divine imagery, suggesting that even negative traits have a sacred, transformative aspect.
In simple terms: Human flaws are portrayed as having a divine, powerful nature.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the depth in all emotions.
Themes
human nature
divinity
transformation
Mood
contemplative
serene
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- art analysis
- creative writing
Key Concepts
psychology
metaphor
spirituality
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you see negative feelings as sources of strength?
- Can divine imagery change our view of flaws?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may romanticize harmful emotions.
