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
What is light, if Sylvia be not seen? What is joy if Sylvia be not by?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses the deep connection between love and joy, highlighting that the presence of a loved one is essential for true happiness.
In this quote, William Shakespeare conveys the idea that light and joy are meaningless without the presence of a beloved person, named Sylvia. It emphasizes the crucial role that love plays in our experiences of happiness and fulfillment, suggesting that our emotional states are often intertwined with our relationships with others, particularly those we hold dear.
Themes
LoveJoyHappinessRelationshipsPresence
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote during a wedding ceremony to emphasize the importance of love in a relationship.
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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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