QuoteProject
Free from gross passion or of mirth of anger constant spirit, not swerving with the blood, garnish'd and deck'd in modest compliment, not working with the eye without the ear, and but in purged judgement trusting neither? Such and so finely bolted didst thou seem.
William Shakespeare
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote reflects on the importance of moderation and balanced judgment in one's character.

In this quote, Shakespeare contemplates the qualities of a person who is free from extreme emotions like anger and passion. He emphasizes the value of having a composed spirit, showing that true wisdom comes from a balanced perspective that engages the senses with thoughtful consideration rather than impulsive reactions.

Themes

ModerationJudgmentWisdomBalanceCharacter

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be shared during a leadership seminar to emphasize the importance of calm decision-making.

More from William Shakespeare

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
Love 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 it's in human nature to want to have more, to compete with the other and, at some level, to be dissatisfied if someone else has more than you.
Pico IyerRead
Laziness has become the chief characteristic of journalism, displacing incompetence.
Kingsley AmisRead
A country without a memory is a country of madmen.
George SantayanaRead
A lady could not boast of her chastity who was never tempted.
Michel De MontaigneRead
No sound ought to be heard in the church but the healing voice of Christian charity.
Edmund BurkeRead
A common danger tends to concord. Communism is the exploitation of the strong by the weak. In Communism, inequality comes from placing mediocrity on a level with excellence.
Pierre-Joseph ProudhonRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.