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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The manipulation of truth can serve deceptive ends.
This quote by William Shakespeare suggests that even noble or moral ideas can be twisted for sinister purposes. It warns us that those with ulterior motives can use trusted concepts, like Scripture, to justify their actions. This serves as a reminder to critically assess the intentions behind statements and beliefs, rather than accepting them at face value.
Themes
ManipulationTruthDeceptionScriptureIntention
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about ethics, one might say, 'Remember, the devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.'
More from William Shakespeare
All quotes βLove bears it out even to the edge of doom.
William ShakespeareRead
Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people.
William ShakespeareRead
Absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it; the one brings fuel, the other blows it till it burns clear.
William ShakespeareRead
Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying!
William ShakespeareRead
Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
William ShakespeareRead
Similar quotes
Unfortunately, however much we may deplore something, it does not stop being true.
Richard DawkinsRead
His morality is all sympathy, just what morality should be
Oscar WildeRead
One of the major differences I see in the political climate today is that there is less collective support for coming to critical consciousness β in communities, in institutions, among friends.
Bell HooksRead
And I don't really have anyone upon whom I want to rain down my wrath," I said, because in truth I didn't. I always felt like you had to be important to have enemies. Example: Historically, Germany has had more enemies than Luxembourg, Margo Roth Spiegelman was Germany. And Great Britain. And the United States. And czarist Russia. Me, I'm Luxembourg. Just sitting around, tending sheep, and yodeling.
John GreenRead
Anything that can be done to a rat can be done to a human being. And we can do most anything to rats. This is a hard thing to think about, but it's the truth. It won't go away because we cover our eyes. THAT is cyberpunk.
Bruce SterlingRead
Life is all too wondrous sweet, and the world is so beautifully bewildered; it is the dream of an intoxicated divinity.
Heinrich HeineRead