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
Woe, destruction, ruin, and decay; the worst is death and death will have his day.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the inevitability of death and the destruction that life encounters.
In this quote, Shakespeare explores the somber realities of life, emphasizing that ultimately, death is an unavoidable fate that overshadows all aspects of existence, including destruction and decay. It captures the idea that while life may be filled with suffering and ruin, death is the final and most significant event that each individual must face.
Themes
DeathLifeInevitabilityDestructionRuin
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a eulogy to highlight the acceptance of death as part of life.
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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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