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
Love is begun by time and time qualifies the spark and fire of it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Love develops over time, becoming more profound as it matures.
In this quote, Shakespeare suggests that love is not an instantaneous emotion but a progression that evolves with time. The initial spark of attraction or affection can ignite a deeper connection, but it is the passage of time that truly shapes and enriches that love, allowing it to grow like a fire that becomes stronger and more enduring.
Themes
LoveTimeGrowthRelationshipMaturity
In practice
Example use cases
Sharing this quote during a wedding ceremony to highlight the enduring nature of love.
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