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
Tell them, that, to ease them of their griefs, Their fear of hostile strokes, their aches, losses, Their pangs of love, with other incident throes That nature's fragile vessel doth sustain In life's uncertain voyage, I will some kindness do them.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of kindness in alleviating the burdens and pains of others during their struggles in life.
In this quote, Shakespeare reflects on the human condition, acknowledging the various forms of suffering that individuals endure—fear, grief, love, and loss. He suggests that through acts of kindness, we can help lighten the load of these burdens, reminding us of our shared vulnerabilities as we navigate the unpredictable journey of life.
Themes
KindnessGriefLifeSufferingSupportHumanity
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about community support, one might quote this to highlight the need for compassion.
More from William Shakespeare
All quotes →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 have met so many people who say they've got a book in them, but they've never written a word. To be a writer - this may seem trite, I realize - you have to actually write.
Khaled HosseiniRead
Nonsense! The most hopelessly stupid man is he who is not aware that he is wise.
Isaac AsimovRead
We lift ourselves by our thought, we climb upon our vision of ourselves. If you want to enlarge your life, you must first enlarge your thought of it and of yourself. Hold the ideal of yourself as you long to be, always, everywhere - your ideal of what you long to attain - the ideal of health, efficiency, success.
Orison Swett MardenRead
A man is the whole encyclopedia of facts.
Ralph Waldo EmersonRead
In this world of numbness and information overload, the ability to feel, my boy, is a rare gift indeed.
Patrick NessRead
Everything you touch touches you.
JidennaRead