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
No matter where; of comfort no man speak: Let's talk of graves, of worms, and epitaphs; Make dust our paper and with rainy eyes Write sorrow on the bosom of the earth
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on mortality and the human experience of grief.
William Shakespeare's quote delves into the inevitability of death and the sorrow that comes with it. By suggesting that we should confront uncomfortable truths, such as graves and epitaphs, he encourages a profound discussion about life, loss, and the legacy we leave behind, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging our mortality and the emotions tied to it.
Themes
MortalityGriefSorrowDeathLegacy
In practice
Example use cases
In a eulogy, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of remembering those who have passed.
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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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