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
Company, villainous company, hath been the spoil of me.
Interpretation
The influence of detrimental companions has led to my downfall.
In this quote from Shakespeare, the speaker reflects on how toxic or negative relationships, referred to as 'villainous company', have corrupted and harmed them. It highlights the profound impact that one's associations and friendships can have on a person's character and life trajectory, suggesting that surrounding oneself with bad influences can lead to personal ruin.
In practice
In a speech about the importance of choosing friends wisely.
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.
Somewhere in his body--perhaps in the marrow of his bones--he would continue to feel her absence.
I've met the most interesting people while flying or on a boat. These methods of travel seem to attract the kind of people I want to be with.
All that a husband or wife really wants is to be pitied a little, praised a little, and appreciated a little.
A woman may very well form a friendship with a man, but for this to endure, it must be assisted by a little physical antipathy.
I think same sex couples should be able to get married.
Perhaps the depth of love can be calibrated by the number of different selves that are actively involved in a given relationship.
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