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About this quote

What does it mean?
Abstract virtues are mapped to human physical traits, suggesting they are inherently human.
In plain terms
Mercy has a heart, pity a face, love a body, and peace a dress.
What can you take from it?
Virtues are embodied in human form.

Where it applies

  • theological study
  • artistic interpretation

Putting it to work

  • teaching ethics
  • analyzing art

Questions to consider

  • How does the human form define virtue?
  • Why link peace to a dress?

Another view

It reduces complex virtues to simple physical traits.

More from William Blake

  1. To Mercy, Pity, Peace, and Love All pray in their distress; And to these virtues of delight Return their thankfulness.

    Permalink to quote #44
  2. The moon like a flower In heaven's high bower, With silent delight, Sits and smiles on the night.

    Permalink to quote #46
  3. When my mother died I was very young, And my father sold me while yet my tongue Could scarcely cry 'weep! 'weep! 'weep!'weep! So your chimneys I sweep, and in …

    Permalink to quote #43

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