QuoteProject
And it is very much lamented,... That you have no such mirrors as will turn Your hidden worthiness into your eye That you might see your shadow.
William Shakespeare
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote expresses regret that people cannot see their own true value and potential.

In this quote, Shakespeare laments the human inability to recognize and appreciate their own worth and hidden qualities. The metaphor of mirrors suggests that if individuals could truly see themselves as they are, they would gain insight into their own strengths and virtues, leading to greater self-awareness and confidence.

Themes

Self-WorthSelf-AwarenessPotentialWisdomReflection

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about recognizing one's own abilities.

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).
William ShakespeareRead
Love 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

In creative endeavors luck is a skill.
Twyla TharpRead
If a man does not talk to himself, it is because he is not worth talking to.
Gilbert K. ChestertonRead
But I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
William Butler YeatsRead
The most serious mistakes are not being made as a result of wrong answers. The true dangerous thing is asking the wrong question.
Peter DruckerRead
Be ruthless about protecting writing days....althoug h writing has been my actual job for several years now, I still seem to have to fight for time in which to do it.
J. K. RowlingRead
Clarity is the most important thing. I can compare clarity to pruning in gardening. You know, you need to be clear. If you are not clear, nothing is going to happen. You have to be clear. Then you have to be confident about your vision. And after that, you just have to put a lot of work in.
Diane Von FurstenbergRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.