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
Beauty, wit,_x000D_ _x000D_ High birth, vigour of bone, desert in service,_x000D_ _x000D_ Love, friendship, charity, are subjects all_x000D_ _x000D_ To envious and calumniating time.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that qualities like beauty, love, and friendship are often undermined by jealousy and false accusations over time.
In this quote, Shakespeare reflects on the transient nature of beauty, love, and friendship, asserting that these valued qualities are often subjected to the corrosive effects of envy and slander. He highlights how time and societal perceptions can diminish the appreciation of such virtues, inviting us to consider the impact of gossip and jealousy on our relationships and our perception of others.
Themes
BeautyLoveFriendshipEnvyTime
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about the importance of cherishing relationships over time.
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