Areopagitica

“For this is not the liberty which we can hope, that no grievance ever should arise in the commonwealth—that let no man in this world expect. But when complaints are freely heard, deeply considered, and speedily reformed, then it is the utmost bound of civil liberty attained that wise men look for.” 

Milton, who was very passionate about the forthcoming commonwealth in England, asserts that a wise man doesn’t expect the commonwealth to provide nothing to complain about. The freedom of the commonwealth is the freedom to speak up, be heard, and have problems addressed. Since the tract concerns censorship, it is fitting that he connects to the freedom of speech he is exercising to speak to Parliament in the first place. Without saying it outright, he is insisting that if Parliament wishes to have a republic, they must behave like a republic. He is complimenting them for allowing him to speak, unlike a monarchy, which would likely stifle that freedom. This simultaneously condemns them for the licensing act, which stifles freedom of speech.

“Nevertheless, there being three principal things without which all praising is but courtship and flattery. First, when that only is praised which is solidly worth praise; next, when greatest likelihoods are brought that such things are truly and really in those persons to whom they are ascribed; the other, when he who praises, by showing that such his actual persuasion is of whom he writes, can demonstrate that he flatters not.”

By prefacing his argument with his assertions on flattery and praise, Milton is assuring Parliament that the praise he offers is genuine and that the advice he will offer is a form of praise. What is unspoken but implied is that his advice is also criticism, but his criticism comes from a genuine desire to make Parliament and England better. While a king would expect flattery, Milton is explaining that he will not offer empty flatter because Parliament is better than a king and should want the honest and thoughtful feedback of private citizens.