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
He thinks too much. Such men are dangerous.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Overthinking can lead to dangerous consequences, especially for those who wield power.
This quote by Shakespeare highlights the dangers associated with overly analytical individuals, particularly those in positions of authority. It suggests that excessive contemplation and doubt can lead to poor decision-making and may ultimately threaten the status quo or the safety of others.
Themes
OverthinkingDangerWisdomDecision-MakingAnalysis
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about leadership qualities, one might use this quote to highlight the risks of overthinking.
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Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
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