Literary notes about guile (AI summary)
In literature, "guile" frequently emerges as a powerful symbol of deceptive cunning and strategic duplicity, while at times its absence helps to illuminate honest, unpretentious character. Poetic epics like Valmiki’s rendition of the Ramayana employ the term to evoke not only magical trickery and disguise [1, 2, 3, 4] but also the subtle mechanisms of betrayal and seduction as seen in Milton’s verse [5, 6]. Conversely, in texts ranging from biblical passages to more modern narratives, "guile" is used to highlight an absence of deceit, marking those who are sincere and unambiguous in spirit [7, 8, 9, 10]. This duality enriches the literary landscape by contrasting the artifice of cunning tactics with the refreshing clarity of genuine integrity.
- He wears, well trained in magic guile, The figure of a deer a while, Bright as the very sun, or place Where dwell the gay Gandharva race.
— from The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Valmiki - The giant Rávaṇ came with guile And bore me thence to Lanká's isle.
— from The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Valmiki - But Arjun stooped to treachery vile And slew my noble sire by guile, Whose penance awful strength had gained, Whose hand the God-given bow retained.
— from The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Valmiki - But if thou still wilt shut thine eyes, Nor see the guile herein that lies, My soul is sad, I deeply mourn, And duty seems a thing to scorn.
— from The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Valmiki - Nor thou his malice and false guile contemn; Subtle he needs must be, who could seduce Angels; nor think superfluous other's aid.
— from Paradise Lost by John Milton - I that was wash'd to death with fulsome wine, Poor Clarence, by thy guile betray'd to death!
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare - His soul was the most sincere and candid that I have ever met with, and was totally free from anything like guile.
— from The Fables of La Fontaine by Jean de La Fontaine - That is, innocent, sincere, and without guile. 1:2.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete - Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him and he saith of him: Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile.
— from The Bible, Douay-Rheims, Complete - He was an Israelite indeed in whom there was no guile.
— from Some Jewish Witnesses For Christ by Aaron Bernstein
