His words ... like so many nimble and airy servitors trip about him at command.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Describes speech that is quick, graceful, and obedient to the speaker's will.
- In plain terms
- His words move quickly and follow his command like servants.
- What can you take from it?
- Masterful speech serves the speaker's intent.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do words serve your intent?
- What makes speech effective?
Another view
It idealizes speech as perfectly obedient to human will.
More from John Milton
I will not deny but that the best apology against false accusers is silence and sufferance, and honest deeds set against dishonest words.
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Permalink to quote #18 So little care they of beasts to make them men, that by their sorcerous doctrine of formalities, they take the way to transform them out of Christian men into …
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