🥛 The Milk of Human Kindness: Compassion, Compassion Everywhere!
Definition:
- The milk of human kindness: Sympathy, compassion.
Origin:
- This expression originates from Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” (1.5). Lady Macbeth worries her husband is “too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness” to achieve their ambitions ruthlessly.
In Literature and Culture:
- Besides Macbeth, numerous writers and thinkers have used, twisted, and riffed on the term to comment on human empathy—or the lack thereof. In a particularly amusing anecdote, E. M. Sneyd-Kynnersley wrote about a bishop who quipped upon meeting another: “He had often heard of the milk of human kindness, but never hitherto had he met the cow.”
Related Terms and Synonyms:
- Benevolence, goodwill, compassion, sympathy, empathy
Antonyms:
- Cruelty, indifference, malevolence, apathy
Humorous Quotes:
- “I always knew milk of human kindness was scarce, but gluten-free milk? Outrageous!”
- “Be a fountain, not a drain” – Rex Hudler (Because your milk of kindness should flow abundantly.)
Proverbs:
- “Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” – Lao Tzu
References in Popular Culture:
- Books and Literature:
- To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: A novel soaked in themes of compassion and empathy.
- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens: Where Ebenezer Scrooge learns volumes about human kindness.
- Songs:
- “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel: Full of compassionate messages.
- Movies:
- It’s a Wonderful Life: George Bailey’s life is a testament to the power of kindness.
- Pay It Forward: A heartwarming story about the ripple effects of a single act of kindness.
Suggested Intriguing Titles:
- 🌟 The Glass Half Full Club: Finding Optimism in Everyday Language 🥤
- 🐄 Where’s the Cow? And Other Mysteries of Human Compassion 🕵
- 🌺 A Dictionary of Daily Delights: When Words Share Love and Light ✨
Prepare to Test Your Idiom IQ!
### Which phrase is genuinely rooted in Shakespeare's work?
- [ ] A storm of generosity
- [x] The milk of human kindness
- [ ] A pint of good cheer
- [ ] The river of sympathy
> **Explanation:** "The milk of human kindness" is directly plucked from Shakespeare's *Macbeth*. None of those other liquids have anything to do with Shakespeare—at least not officially!
### What does showing 'the milk of human kindness' mean?
- [x] Showing compassion and empathy
- [ ] Being extremely health-conscious
- [ ] Having an aversion to dairy products
- [ ] Creating homemade dairy products
> **Explanation:** Showing 'the milk of human kindness' means demonstrating compassion and empathy. It's not about your lactose-free credentials.
### True or False: The term 'milk of human kindness' describes Lady Macbeth’s view of herself.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** It's false. Lady Macbeth used this term to describe her husband, fearing he's too compassionate to achieve their dark ambitions ruthlessly.
### Complete the phrase: 'He had often heard of the milk of human kindness, but never hitherto had he met the ___'
- [ ] Bottle
- [ ] Farmer
- [x] Cow
- [ ] Supplier
> **Explanation:** The witty remark indeed concludes with "cow," adding a humorous touch to the discourse on human kindness.
Inspirational Farewell:
As you embark on life’s journey, remember to hold a goblet filled to the brim with the milk of human kindness. For it is in being compassionate and understanding that we carve paths we never thought possible. 🌼
- P. L. Wordsmith 🍃
