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
One good deed dying tongueless Slaughters a thousand waiting upon that. Our praises are our wages.
Interpretation
A single act of kindness is more valuable than countless praises when left unexpressed.
This quote by William Shakespeare conveys the idea that actions, particularly good deeds, hold greater significance than mere words of praise. The metaphor suggests that while many may wait for recognition, it is the deeds themselves that truly count, emphasizing the importance of tangible actions over hollow accolades.
In practice
In a speech about community service, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of helping others rather than seeking recognition.
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).
Love bears it out even to the edge of doom.
Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people.
Absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it; the one brings fuel, the other blows it till it burns clear.
Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying!
Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
We need to learn to let go as easily as we grasp and we will find our hands full and our minds empty.
One thing that never ceases to amaze me, along with the growth of vegetation from the earth and of hair from the head, is the growth of understanding.
Kindness in ourselves is the honey that blunts the sting of unkindness in another.
Zen is not interested in high-flown statements; it wants its pupil to bite his apple and not discuss it.
Laughter is timeless. Imagination has no age. And dreams are forever.
Pleasure puts you to sleep and pain wakes you up. If you don't want to suffer, don't go to sleep.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.