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
That if you be honest and fair, your honesty should admit no discourse to your beauty.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Being honest and fair contributes to true beauty, which should be unchallenged.
This quote from Shakespeare suggests that true beauty is not just about physical appearance, but closely tied to one's character, particularly honesty and fairness. It implies that when a person embodies these virtues, their inner beauty shines through and is recognized, leaving no room for doubt or debate regarding their worth.
Themes
HonestyBeautyFairnessTruthCharacter
In practice
Example use cases
In a keynote speech about integrity in leadership, this quote can emphasize the importance of character over appearance.
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Absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it; the one brings fuel, the other blows it till it burns clear.
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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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