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
I am misanthropos, and hate mankind, For thy part, I do wish thou wert a dog, That I might love thee something.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The speaker expresses a deep disdain for humanity, yet longs for a profound connection with at least one individual.
In this quote, the speaker reveals a conflict between their misanthropic views and a desire for companionship. Despite a general hatred for mankind, the speaker yearns for an intimate bond, suggesting that they would prefer to love someone who is more akin to a loyal dog than a complex human being. This highlights the complexity of human emotions where one can feel isolation while simultaneously craving connection.
Themes
MisanthropyLoveHumanityConnectionDisdain
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a philosophical discussion about human relationships.
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
I think it is a problem of our society that we don't enjoy (ourselves.) We have these values, like, you have to be rich, you have to get a diploma, you have to work hard, otherwise you are useless, you are nothing but a pariah. And the book asks, 'Is it true? This is what my mom told me, but is it true?
Paulo CoelhoRead
On the occasion of every accident that befalls you, remember to turn to yourself and inquire what power you have for turning it to use.
EpictetusRead
This is what you shall do: Love the earth and sun and the animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward the people.
Walt WhitmanRead
The strongest argument against totalitarianism may be a recognition of a universal human nature; that all humans have innate desires for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The doctrine of the blank slate... is a totalitarian's dream.
Steven PinkerRead
No opinion can be trusted; even the facts may be nothing but a printer's error.
William Carlos WilliamsRead
I recollected one story there was in the village, how that on a certain night in the year (it might be that very night for anything I knew), all the dead people came out of the ground and sat at the heads of their own graves till morning.
Charles DickensRead