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
I love thee so, that, maugre all thy pride,_x000D_ _x000D_ Nor wit nor reason can my passion hide._x000D_ _x000D_ Do not extort thy reasons from this clause,_x000D_ _x000D_ For that I woo, thou therefore hast no cause_x000D_ _x000D_ But rather reason thus with reason fetter,_x000D_ _x000D_ Love sought is good, but given unsought better.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True love does not seek justification; it is better when given freely without pursuit.
In this quote by William Shakespeare, the speaker emphasizes the depth of their love, which overshadows any pride or rationality. It suggests that love that is pursued can be good, but love that is given freely, without being sought after, holds even greater value. This reflects the idea that genuine affection does not require justification or reasoning but exists as a powerful and palpable emotion.
Themes
LovePassionAffectionEmotionHeart
In practice
Example use cases
A wedding speech celebrating the unyielding love between the couple.
More from William Shakespeare
All quotes →Love 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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