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
Your lordship, though not clean past your youth, have yet some smack of age in you, some relish of the saltiness of time.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the inevitable passage of time and its effects on individuals, regardless of their remaining youth.
In this quote, Shakespeare comments on the blending of youth and age within a person, suggesting that while one may still possess youthful qualities, the wisdom and experience gained over time also leave their mark. The imagery of 'saltiness' can evoke both the challenges faced and the richness of experience that comes with age, indicating that the effects of time are universal and shape our identities.
Themes
AgeWisdomYouthTimeExperience
In practice
Example use cases
During a farewell speech, one might use this quote to emphasize the lessons learned over time.
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