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
If it be a sin to covet honor, I am the most offending soul.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The speaker acknowledges their desire for honor, which may be considered sinful in some views.
In this quote, Shakespeare expresses a complex relationship with honor and ambition. The speaker admits to coveting honor, suggesting that the pursuit of recognition and status can be seen as a wrongdoing, yet they embrace this desire as an intrinsic part of their identity. This highlights the tension between societal values and personal aspirations, where the longing for honor can both motivate and complicate one's moral standing.
Themes
HonorSinDesireAmbitionIdentity
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used during a speech about personal aspirations and the moral implications of ambition.
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