“Where more is meant than meets the ear.”
Source: Il Penseroso (1631), Line 120
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John Milton 190
English epic poet 1608–1674Related quotes

Source: The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus (c.1565), Ch. XXV. "Divine Locutions. Discussions on That Subject" ¶ 1 & 2
Context: It will be as well, I think, to explain these locutions of God, and to describe what the soul feels when it receives them, in order that you, my father, may understand the matter; for ever since that time of which I am speaking, when our Lord granted me that grace, it has been an ordinary occurrence until now, as will appear by what I have yet to say.
The words are very distinctly formed; but by the bodily ear they are not heard. They are, however, much more clearly understood than they would be if they were heard by the ear. It is impossible not to understand them, whatever resistance we may offer. When we wish not to hear anything in this world, we can stop our ears, or give attention to something else: so that, even if we do hear, at least we can refuse to understand. In this locution of God addressed to the soul there is no escape, for in spite of ourselves we must listen; and the understanding must apply itself so thoroughly to the comprehension of that which God wills we should hear, that it is nothing to the purpose whether we will it or not; for it is His will, Who can do all things.

“In such business
Action is eloquence, and the eyes of th’ ignorant
More learned than the ears.”

“And oft with holy hymns he charm'd their ears, And music more melodious than the spheres.”

“There is a good deal more to nothing than meets the eye.”
Preface
The Book of Nothing (2009)
From Part 4, section 2: A Theory of Play and Fantasy
Steps to an Ecology of Mind (1972)

Thoughts on his first parachute jump in The Spirit of St Louis (1953)