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
Costly thy habit [dress] as thy purse can buy; But not expressed in fancy - rich, not gaudy. For the apparel oft proclaims the man.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Dress according to your means but avoid being overly showy; one's clothing reflects their character.
In this quote from Shakespeare, the playwright highlights the significance of one's attire in expressing social status and character. He suggests that while it is important to dress well according to one's financial ability, it is even more critical to maintain a sense of authenticity and not to overindulge in flamboyant or excessive styles that may misrepresent oneβs true self. The essence lies in dressing appropriately and tastefully rather than ostentatiously, as what we wear can impact how we are perceived by others.
Themes
DressCharacterAuthenticityAppearanceStatus
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about personal branding, this quote highlights the importance of aligning your appearance with your values.
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Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying!
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Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
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