Amusing Quote by William Blake
““The Devil answer'd: bray a fool in a morter with wheat, yet shall not his folly be beaten out of him; if Jesus Christ is the greatest man, you ought to love him in the greatest degree; now hear how he has given his sanction to the law of ten commandments: did he not mock at the sabbath, and so mock the sabbaths God? murder those who were murder'd because of him? turn away the law from the woman taken in adultery? steal the labor of others to support him? bear false witness when he omitted making a defense before Pilate? covet when he pray'd for his disciples, and when he bid them shake off the dust of their feet against such as refused to lodge them? I tell you, no virtue can exist without breaking these ten commandments; Jesus was all virtue, and acted from impulse, not from rules.””
About This Quote
Blake argues that true virtue transcends legalistic morality, suggesting Jesus embodied pure impulse rather than rule‑bound ethics, and that commandments cannot contain genuine virtue.
In simple terms: Virtue beyond law
Key Takeaway
Virtue is impulsive, not rule‑bound
Themes
religion
ethics
philosophy
authority
contradiction
Mood
provocative
critical
reflective
Type
aphorism
theological critique
When to use this quote
- theological debate
- moral philosophy class
- personal spiritual crisis
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
law
virtue
impulse
hypocrisy
Practical Applications
- theological critique
- ethical education
Questions to Reflect On
- Can virtue exist without any external standards?
- How does impulse differ from moral deliberation?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that rules provide necessary boundaries for virtue, preventing chaos.
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