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Come my spade. There is no ancient gentlemen but gardeners, ditchers, and grave-makers; they hold up Adam's profession.
William Shakespeare
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote reflects on the humble yet essential roles of those who work with the earth, emphasizing the value of their labor.

In this quote from Shakespeare, the speaker highlights that the roles of gardeners, ditchers, and grave-makers are fundamental to human existence, connecting them to the original duty of Adam to cultivate the earth. It suggests that the most profound professions are often those that are overlooked, yet they are vital for sustaining life and honoring the cycle of existence.

Themes

GardeningLaborExistenceProfessionHumility

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about the importance of manual labor, one might quote this to emphasize respect for all professions.

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Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying!
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