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
Good friend for Jesus sake forbeare, To digg the dust encloased heare! Blest be the man that spares thes stones, And curst be he that moves my bones.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote expresses a plea for respect towards the resting place of a beloved friend.
In this poignant couplet, Shakespeare implores that those who visit his grave show reverence and respect, urging them to leave his resting place undisturbed. It encapsulates the deep bond of friendship, as he emphasizes the dignity of the deceased while also cursing anyone who might disrespect their final resting place.
Themes
FriendshipRespectGraveMourningReverence
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a eulogy to honor a friend's memory.
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There are few things in which we deceive ourselves more than in the esteem we profess to entertain for our firends. It is little better than a piece of quackery. The truth is, we think of them as we please, that is, as they please or displease us.
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Conversation with a friend will only bear good fruit of knowledge when both think only of the matter under consideration and forget that they are friends.
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