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
We suffer a lot the few things we lack and we enjoy too little the many things we have.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the tendency to focus on what we don't have rather than appreciating our current blessings.
William Shakespeare's quote reflects on human nature, pointing out that we often dwell on our deficiencies instead of recognizing the abundance around us. This mindset can lead to unnecessary suffering as we forget to enjoy the many positives in our lives. It serves as a reminder to cultivate gratitude and shift our perspective towards appreciation.
Themes
GratitudeAppreciationSufferingLackEnjoyment
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about mental health, one might use this quote to encourage mindfulness and gratitude.
More from William Shakespeare
All quotes βLove 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
We live and learn, or, perhaps more importantly we learn and live.
Terry PratchettRead
Most of us are taught from an early age to pay far more attention to signals coming from other people than from within. We are encouraged to ignore our own needs and wants and to concentrate on living up to others expectations.
Nathaniel BrandenRead
Despise the enemy strategically, but take him seriously tactically.
Mao ZedongRead
I drink from a small spring, / my thirst excedes the ocean.
Adam ZagajewskiRead
He who acts, spoils; he who grasps, lets slip.
LaoziRead
Trust who and what you are, and the universe will support you in miraculous ways.
Alan CohenRead