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
The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose. An evil soul producing holy witness Is like a villain with a smiling cheek, A goodly apple rotten at the heart. O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that people can manipulate good teachings for their own malevolent purposes, highlighting the deceptive nature of appearances.
In this quote by William Shakespeare, the speaker reflects on the idea that evil individuals can twist and use sacred texts or noble ideas to serve their own interests. The metaphor of a seemingly beautiful apple that is rotten inside illustrates how external appearances can be misleading, emphasizing the danger of being deceived by a facade that hides true intentions.
Themes
DeceptionAppearanceEvilTruthHypocrisy
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about integrity and authenticity, one might quote this to illustrate the dangers of false appearances.
More from William Shakespeare
All quotes →Love bears it out even to the edge of doom.
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Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people.
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Absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it; the one brings fuel, the other blows it till it burns clear.
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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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