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
So far be distant; and good night, sweet friend: thy love ne'er alter, till they sweet life end
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses a deep and unwavering bond of friendship, promising lasting affection.
In this quote, Shakespeare conveys the sentiment of a steadfast friendship that persists, regardless of physical distance. The phrase 'thy love ne'er alter' emphasizes the idea that true friendship remains constant and unchanging, even as life brings its challenges and changes, reflecting the eternal nature of true bonds.
Themes
FriendshipLoveAffectionDistanceBond
In practice
Example use cases
In a farewell speech at a gathering of friends.
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
I think they ought to know. You do them a disservice by not confiding something this important to them.β βI didnβt want ββ ββ to worry or frighten them?β said Dumbledore, surveying Harry over the top of his half-moon spectacles. βOr perhaps, to confess that you yourself are worried and frightened? You need your friends, Harry. As you so rightly said, Sirius would not have wanted you to shut yourself away.
J. K. RowlingRead
Haec ego non multis (scribo), sed tibi: satis enim magnum alter alteri theatrum sumus. I am writing this not to many, but to you: certainly we are a great enough audience for each other.
EpicurusRead
Make no man your friend before inquiring how he has used his former friends; for you must expect him to treat you as he has treated them. Be slow to give your friendship, but when you have given it, strive to make it lasting; for it is as reprehensible to make many changes in one's associates as to have no friends at all. Neither test your friends to your own injury nor be willing to forego a test of your companions.
IsocratesRead
All things are in common among friends.
DiogenesRead
Thorns may hurt you, men desert you, sunlight turn to fog; but you're never friendless ever, if you have a dog.
Douglas MallochRead
Be slow to fall into friendship; but when thou art in, continue firm and constant.
SocratesRead