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
O Mistress mine, where are you roaming? O, stay and hear; your true love's coming, That can sing both high and low: Trip no further, pretty sweeting; Journeys end in lovers meeting, Every wise man's son doth know. What is love? 'Tis not hereafter; Present mirth hath present laughter; What's to come is still unsure: In delay there lies not plenty; Then, come kiss me, sweet and twenty, Youth's a stuff will not endure.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the fleeting nature of youth and love, urging one to embrace the present moment.
This quote from Shakespeare captures the essence of love as an immediate experience rather than a distant concept. It suggests that love should be cherished in the present because youth and opportunities are transient. The mention of journeys ending in lovers meeting emphasizes the idea of seizing the moment, as delaying may lead to missed chances. Ultimately, it celebrates the joy and laughter that come with love while acknowledging the uncertainty of the future.
Themes
LoveYouthPresentJoyRelationships
In practice
Example use cases
During a romantic evening, you might quote Shakespeare to express the importance of cherishing your relationship.
More from William Shakespeare
All quotes βLove bears it out even to the edge of doom.
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Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people.
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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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Similar quotes
Infantile love follows the principle: "I love because I am loved." Mature love follows the principle: "I am loved because I love." Immature love says: "I love you because I need you." Mature love says: "I need you because I love you.
Erich FrommRead
He looked like the love thoughts of women.
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One has no right to love or hate anything if one has not acquired a thorough knowledge of its nature. Great love springs from great knowledge of the beloved object, and if you know it but little you will be able to love it only a little or not at all.
Leonardo Da VinciRead
Love? Be it man. Be it woman. It must be a wave you want to glide in on, give your body to it, give your laugh to it, give, when the gravelly sand takes you, your tears to the land. To love another is something like prayer and can't be planned, you just fall into its arms because your belief undoes your disbelief.
Anne SextonRead
Nothing can bring a real sense of security into the home except true love.
Billy GrahamRead
Love will enter cloaked in friendship's name.
OvidRead