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
If I be waspish, best beware my sting.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Be cautious of those who can hurt you, especially if they seem irritable or aggressive.
This quote by William Shakespeare suggests that one should be wary of people who display a sharp or unpleasant demeanor, as they may have the potential to cause harm, much like a wasp with a sting. It serves as a reminder that a person’s attitude can signal their capacity to hurt others, thus encouraging us to tread carefully around those who are confrontational or irritable.
Themes
WaspishStingCautionBewareBehavior
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about handling difficult colleagues, this quote can emphasize the need for caution in interactions.
More from William Shakespeare
All quotes →Love bears it out even to the edge of doom.
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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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