Literary notes about benign (AI summary)
The word benign is often employed in literature to evoke a sense of gentle, favorable influence or an affable demeanor. Its usage ranges from describing the outward appearance of a just and serene character, as seen in a classic depiction of a just man’s face [1], to characterizing a ruler or divine being whose countenance suggests benevolence and protection [2], [3]. At times, benign is used to underscore the nurturing or corrective effects in nature or human conduct, like the soft influence that soothes the heart or grants a careful supervision by a kindly figure [4], [5]. Even when contrasted with potentially harmful elements—the transformation from benignity to malignancy is noted in medical contexts [6]—the term consistently underscores the idea of a controlled, compassionate force in the narrative.
- The face was as the face of a just man, Its semblance outwardly was so benign, And of a serpent all the trunk beside.
— from Divine Comedy, Longfellow's Translation, Hell by Dante Alighieri - This Turn hath made Amends; thou hast fulfill'd Thy Words, Creator bounteous and benign!
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - Humanity and good policy conspire to dictate, that the benign prerogative of pardoning should be as little as possible fettered or embarrassed.
— from The Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton and John Jay and James Madison - Dr. John himself was one of those on whose birth benign planets have certainly smiled.
— from Villette by Charlotte Brontë - He walked away; and Mr. Pickwick’s countenance resumed its customary benign expression.
— from The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens - The possibility of the transformation of a benign into a malignant tumour must be admitted.
— from Manual of Surgery Volume First: General Surgery. Sixth Edition. by Alexis Thomson
