Meaning: The quote "Both read the Bible day and night, but thou read black where I read white" is from the English poet William Blake. Blake was known for his visionary and mystical poetry, and his works often explored themes of spirituality, morality, and the human experience. This particular quote can be interpreted in different ways, but it generally speaks to the idea that two people can interpret the same text or belief system in fundamentally different ways.

At first glance, the quote seems to suggest a fundamental disagreement or opposition in interpretation – one person reading "black" and the other reading "white." This can be seen as a metaphor for differing perspectives or worldviews. In the context of the Bible, it could imply that despite both individuals studying the same religious text, they come away with conflicting understandings of its teachings.

One interpretation of this quote is that it highlights the subjectivity of interpretation. It acknowledges that individuals bring their own biases, experiences, and perspectives to their reading of religious texts, and as a result, they may come away with vastly different understandings of the same material. This idea is particularly relevant in the context of religious or spiritual texts, where interpretation and application of teachings can vary widely among different individuals or religious communities.

Furthermore, the quote may also allude to the concept of moral or ethical relativism. In the context of religious teachings, the interpretation of what is "black" or "white" can refer to moral or ethical principles. Different readers may interpret the same moral or ethical guidelines in contrasting ways, leading to differing approaches to behavior and decision-making.

Another potential interpretation of this quote is that it speaks to the role of perception in shaping one's understanding of the world. The use of "black" and "white" can be seen as symbolic of contrasting viewpoints or attitudes. It suggests that individuals may approach the same source material with fundamentally different attitudes, leading to divergent interpretations and conclusions. This can be extended to broader philosophical and existential questions about the nature of truth, reality, and perception.

In the context of literary analysis, this quote can also be examined through the lens of reader response theory. This theoretical framework emphasizes the role of the reader in actively constructing meaning from a text. In this light, the quote can be seen as highlighting the active and subjective nature of interpretation, as well as the potential for divergent readings based on individual perspectives and experiences.

In conclusion, William Blake's quote "Both read the Bible day and night, but thou read black where I read white" encapsulates the complex and multifaceted nature of interpretation. It speaks to the subjectivity of perception, the diversity of individual perspectives, and the potential for conflicting understandings of shared material. Whether considered in the context of religious texts, moral relativism, or broader philosophical questions, the quote invites reflection on the nature of interpretation and the varied ways in which individuals engage with and derive meaning from the world around them.