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
When our actions do not, our fears make us traitors.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Our fears can betray us by preventing us from taking action.
This quote by William Shakespeare highlights the internal struggle between our fears and our actions. It suggests that when we allow fear to dictate our behavior, we become disloyal to ourselves and our potential. In essence, it warns against letting fear overcome our ability to act decisively, portraying fear as a traitor that betrays our true intentions and capabilities.
Themes
FearActionCourageBetrayalSelf-Doubt
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech emphasizing the importance of overcoming fear in pursuit of goals.
More from William Shakespeare
All quotes βLove bears it out even to the edge of doom.
William ShakespeareRead
Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people.
William ShakespeareRead
Absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it; the one brings fuel, the other blows it till it burns clear.
William ShakespeareRead
Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying!
William ShakespeareRead
Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
William ShakespeareRead
Similar quotes
Faced with crisis, the man of character falls back upon himself.
Charles De GaulleRead
If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
Harry S. TrumanRead
Those men who, in war, seek to preserve their lives at any rate commonly die with shame and ignominy, while those who look upon death as common to all, and unavoidable, and are only solicitous to die with honour, oftener arrive at old age and, while they live, live happier.
XenophonRead
Anyone in public life who comes out, comes out primarily for themselves, and their life is immediately improved. That's what happened to me.
Ian MckellenRead
So I am deeply saddened and shocked over the current legislation that is now in place against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community here in Russia. In my opinion, it is inhumane and it is isolating.
Elton JohnRead
You must be fearless. It is the coward who fears and defends himself
Swami VivekanandaRead