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
As he was valiant, I honour him. But as he was ambitious, I slew him.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Honoring someone's bravery while acknowledging that their ambition led to their downfall.
This quote reflects the complex nature of human qualities, particularly bravery and ambition. It emphasizes the idea that while we may respect and honor those who exhibit courage, we must also be wary of ambition, which can lead to destructive actions and consequences. Shakespeare presents a nuanced view of character, illustrating how the virtues and vices of individuals can coexist and ultimately influence their fate.
Themes
HonorAmbitionValiantSlayCharacter
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the duality of human nature in literature.
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Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
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