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
Celebrity is never more admired than by the negligent.
Interpretation
Celebrity is often idolized by those who pay little attention to substance or character.
This quote suggests that the phenomenon of celebrity often attracts admiration from those who are not deeply engaged in critical thinking or who may overlook the true qualities that define a person's worth. It highlights a cautionary perspective on the nature of admiration, indicating that superficial acclaim can often drown out more meaningful attributes.
In practice
During a speech about the importance of being genuine, one could use this quote to illustrate the pitfalls of idolizing fame.
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).
Love bears it out even to the edge of doom.
Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people.
Absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it; the one brings fuel, the other blows it till it burns clear.
Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying!
Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
For there is but one essential justice which cements society, and one law which establishes this justice. This law is right reason, which is the true rule of all commandments and prohibitions. Whoever neglects this law, whether written or unwritten, is necessarily unjust and wicked.
No written law has ever been more binding than unwritten custom supported by popular opinion.
America is a willingness of the heart.
In this world, there is a kind of painful progress. Longing for what we've left behind, and dreaming ahead.
He who made thee is made in thee. He is made in thee through whom you were made.... Give milk, O mother, to him who is our food; give milk to the bread that comes down from heaven.
The soul in man is greater than his fate.
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