QuoteProject
To lapse in fulness Is sorer than to lie for need, and falsehood Is worse in kings than beggars.
William Shakespeare
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote suggests that failing to be authentic is more painful than dishonesty, especially for those in power.

In this quote, Shakespeare emphasizes the introspective nature of authenticity and truth. He implies that the anguish of not being true to oneself or the fullness of one's potential is more distressing than deceit out of necessity. Furthermore, he argues that dishonesty carries heavier consequences for those in positions of authority, highlighting the moral responsibilities of leaders compared to those with less power. Ultimately, it speaks to the value of integrity and honesty in one’s character.

Themes

AuthenticityTruthIntegrityLeadershipPowerHonesty

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of integrity in leadership.

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

If He had not known with certainty that He would be Master over sin and that out of evil would evolve the noblest display of His own glory, He would not have permitted it to enter the world.
Charles SpurgeonRead
Why go from the individual to the entire race, from the singular to the group, from the guilty to the innocent? We know why. That is how racism works. That is racism in action.
David OlusogaRead
Homo sapiens, the only creature endowed with reason, is also the only creature to pin its existence on things unreasonable.
Henri BergsonRead
There is a purpose to our lives, even if it is sometimes hidden from us, and even if the biggest turning points and heartbreaks only make sense as we look back, rather than as we are experiencing them. So we might as well live life as if - as the poet Rumi put it - everything is rigged in our favor.
Arianna HuffingtonRead
If you look at other countries, you see they have different values: defend more, pass the ball out more, winning is holy. In England, you could say that sport itself is holy. They say, 'Look, guys, it's about more than just winning.'
Johan CruyffRead
In our universe there is God and there are people and things. We were made so that we should worship God, love people and use things. However if we worship ourselves, we will ignore God, start loving things and begin to use people.
Warren W. WiersbeRead

A little wisdom, now and then

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