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
When a father gives to his son, both laugh; when a son gives to his father, both cry.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the emotional complexity of the parent-child relationship, highlighting joy in giving and sorrow in receiving.
This quote by William Shakespeare suggests that the act of giving often brings joy, particularly when it is from a father to a son. However, the dynamic changes when the son gives to the father, evoking a sense of sadness, which may stem from the recognition of the father's aging or the passage of time, emphasizing the bittersweet nature of familial relationships and the cycle of life.
Themes
FatherSonGivingEmotionsFamily
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a Father's Day speech to highlight the special bond between fathers and sons.
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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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