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
What a piece of work is a man, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and moving how express and admirable, in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the complexity and nobility of human beings, highlighting both their intellectual capabilities and their potential for greatness.
William Shakespeare's quote celebrates the remarkable nature of humanity, emphasizing the intelligence, creativity, and moral potential inherent in people. It acknowledges both the admirable qualities and the divine-like aspects of human beings, suggesting that they possess both the capacity for greatness and the ability to understand the world in profound ways, akin to gods and angels. This perspective invites a deeper appreciation of human life and our abilities to reason, create, and act with purpose.
Themes
HumanNobilityIntelligencePotentialGreatness
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about human rights, one might invoke this quote to highlight the noble qualities of individuals.
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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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