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All lovers swear more performance than they are able, and yet reserve an ability that they never perform; vowing more than the perfection of ten, and discharging less than the tenth part of one.
William Shakespeare
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Lovers often promise more than they can deliver, yet they hold back even more potential.

In this quote, Shakespeare suggests that lovers tend to make grand promises and declarations of love that exceed their actual capabilities. They may vow to give their all, yet often fail to meet even a fraction of those expectations, highlighting the disparity between love's idealism and its reality.

Themes

LovePromisesPerformanceExpectationsDisappointment

In practice

Example use cases

This quote could be used in a wedding speech to humorously highlight the promises made in relationships.

More from William Shakespeare

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).
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Love bears it out even to the edge of doom.
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Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people.
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Absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it; the one brings fuel, the other blows it till it burns clear.
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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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