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
Affliction is enamoured of thy parts, And thou art wedded to calamity.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that adversity is drawn to certain qualities in a person, indicating a connection between one's characteristics and the challenges they face.
In this quote, Shakespeare implies that individuals with certain traits are often beset by troubles, as if they are somehow destined to encounter difficulties. It expresses a profound observation about the human condition, suggesting that our strengths or vulnerabilities might attract both positive and negative experiences, and that calamities often feel intimately tied to our identity.
Themes
AfflictionCalamityAdversityLifeStruggle
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a motivational speech to highlight the importance of resilience in facing life's challenges.
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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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