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
Romans, countrymen, and lovers, hear me for my cause, and be silent, that you may hear.
Interpretation
The speaker calls for attention and silence to present a vital message, suggesting the importance of listening to others.
In this quote, the speaker, likely appealing to a diverse audience of Romans, countrymen, and lovers, emphasizes the necessity of setting aside distractions and being receptive to an important message. This call for silence signifies the value of focused listening in understanding and addressing the issues at hand, reflecting on the need for communal engagement and understanding in societal matters.
In practice
During a debate on a controversial topic, this quote can remind participants to listen carefully before responding.
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).
Love bears it out even to the edge of doom.
Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people.
Absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it; the one brings fuel, the other blows it till it burns clear.
Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying!
Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
What region of the earth is not full of our calamities?
Language is the archives of history.
It is clear to everyone that astronomy at all events compels the soul to look upwards, and draws it from the things of this world to the other.
We are each our own devil, and we make this world our hell.
I agree today that a man has no business trying to tell women what their characteristics are, which ones are inborn, which are more admirable, which will be best utilized by what occupations.
Life on Earth is at the ever-increasing risk of being wiped out by a disaster, such as sudden global nuclear war, a genetically engineered virus or other dangers we have not yet thought of.
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