The Eternal Goodness
This poem explores the concept of an eternal goodness that transcends human morality and societal norms. It presents a vision of a higher power that is beyond human comprehension, yet still accessible to humanity through faith and devotion. The speaker describes this goodness as infinite, unchanging, and all-encompassing, encompassing both good and evil within its scope.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1827 · Genre: Religious Poetry, Spiritual Reflection, Philosophical Poetry · 608 words
First lines
O friends! with whom my feet have trod The quiet aisles of prayer, Glad witness to your zeal for God And love of man I bear.
I trace your lines of argument; Your logic linked and strong I weigh as one who dreads dissent, And fears a doubt as wrong.
What this Textopian page supports
The Eternal Goodness is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1827 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
- Date: 1827 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Religious Poetry, Spiritual Reflection, Philosophical Poetry, Lyric Poetry, Meditative Poetry
- Length: 608 words
- Structure: 1 section, 22 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
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- Work identity for The Eternal Goodness by John Greenleaf Whittier
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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- Thy Will Be Done by John Greenleaf Whittier
- The Martyrs by Emily Dickinson
- Do Not Let Anyone Remain At The Edge Of Life by Jorge Mario Bergoglio
- Alms by Edna St Vincent Millay
- Divine Compassion by John Greenleaf Whittier
Genres
- Religious Poetry — The work explores themes of faith, divine goodness, and the relationship between humanity and God, characteristic of religious poetry.
- Spiritual Reflection — The poem reflects on personal spirituality, human frailty, and the quest for understanding divine love and justice.
- Philosophical Poetry — It engages with philosophical questions about existence, morality, and the nature of God.
- Lyric Poetry — The emotional and personal tone, along with the focus on individual experience, aligns with the characteristics of lyric poetry.
Tags
Poetry · Religion · Philosophy · Spirituality · Mortality · Eternity · Goodness · Morality · Ethics · Faith · Hope · Love