As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends, / I must not look to have; but, in their stead, / Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath, / Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not" (5.3.25-28).
William ShakespeareRead
Where is your ancient courage? You were used to say extremities was the trier of spirits; That common chances common men could bear; That when the sea was calm all boats alike showed mastership in floating.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the importance of courage in facing challenges, suggesting that true character emerges in difficult situations.
In this quote, Shakespeare reflects on the notion that it is during times of adversity that a person's true spirit is revealed. He contrasts the ease of calm times, where everyone appears competent, with the real test of character that occurs in the face of extremity. Essentially, he emphasizes that true courage is demonstrated when one confronts difficulties, reminding us that it is not the lack of trouble that defines us, but how we respond to it.
Themes
CourageAdversityCharacterChallengesStrength
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational talk on resilience, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of courage in tough times.
More from William Shakespeare
All quotes →Love bears it out even to the edge of doom.
William ShakespeareRead
Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people.
William ShakespeareRead
Absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it; the one brings fuel, the other blows it till it burns clear.
William ShakespeareRead
Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying!
William ShakespeareRead
Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
William ShakespeareRead
Similar quotes
I didn't wake up and decide to become an activist. But you couldn't help notice the inequities, the injustices. It was all around you.
Yuri KochiyamaRead
There is something magical about running; after a certain distance, it transcends the body. Then a bit further, it transcends the mind. A bit further yet, and what you have before you, laid bare, is the soul.
Kristin ArmstrongRead
I ran away from home. I ran away from St. Louis, and then I ran away from the United States of America, because of that terror of discrimination, that horrible beast which paralyzes one's very soul and body.
Josephine BakerRead
I'm always captivated by stories of women who find a way to be daring - misbehaving women.
Sue Monk KiddRead
It is the obligation of every person who claims to oppose oppression to resist the oppressor by every means at his or her disposal. Not to engage in physical resistance, armed resistance to oppression, is to serve the interests of the oppressor; no more, no less. There are no exceptions to the rule, no easy out.
Assata ShakurRead
And ye, who have met with Adversity's blast, And been bow'd to the earth by its fury; To whom the Twelve Months, that have recently pass'd Were as harsh as a prejudiced jury - Still, fill to the Future! and join in our chime, The regrets of remembrance to cozen, And having obtained a New Trial of Time, Shout in hopes of a kindlier dozen.
Thomas HoodRead