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
Friendship is constant in all other things Save in the office and affairs of love. Therefore all hearts in love use their own tongues. Let every eye negotiate for itself, And trust no agent; for beauty is a witch Against whose charms faith melteth into blood.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Friendship remains reliable except in matters of love, where personal feelings take precedence.
In this quote, Shakespeare reflects on the nature of friendship and love, suggesting that while friendships are steadfast and unwavering, love complicates relationships. He emphasizes that in matters of romantic affection, individuals must rely on their own feelings and instincts, as these deeply personal emotions can easily override the stability found in friendships. The metaphor of beauty being a seductive witch implies that love can enchant and lead to vulnerability, causing loyalty and faith to falter.
Themes
FriendshipLoveTrustEmotionsRelationships
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a speech about the complexities of romantic relationships.
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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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I don't need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better.
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When the strong box contains no more both friends and flatterers shun the door.
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