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
O, how I faint when I of you do write, Knowing a better spirit doth use your name, And in the praise thereof spends all his might To make me tongue-tied speaking of your fame.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The speaker feels inadequate when comparing themselves to the person they admire.
In this quote, Shakespeare expresses the feeling of being overwhelmed by admiration for someone so great that it leaves the speaker at a loss for words. The acknowledgment of a 'better spirit' suggests that the speaker realizes their own limitations and struggles to articulate the praise that the other person deserves.
Themes
AdmirationInadequacyPraiseFameLove
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used at a tribute speech to honor someone significant in your life.
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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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