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
So, you are very welcome to our house. It must appear in other ways than words, Therefore, I scant this breathing courtesy.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the nature of hospitality, suggesting that true welcome goes beyond mere words.
In this quote, Shakespeare emphasizes the importance of actions over words when it comes to hospitality. He implies that a genuine welcome is best expressed through gestures and behavior, which convey sincerity and warmth more effectively than verbal invitations alone. The quote invites reflection on how we receive others and the deeper meanings of kindness and courtesy in human interactions.
Themes
HospitalityWelcomeCourtesyActionsWords
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of genuine hospitality in community gatherings.
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