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Soft pity enters an iron gate.
William Shakespeare
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote suggests that gentleness or compassion can penetrate even the strongest barriers.

In this quote, Shakespeare implies that soft emotions, such as pity, have the power to transcend formidable obstacles symbolized by the 'iron gate.' This reflects the idea that emotional strength, compassion, and understanding can overcome hard-heartedness or rigidity, fostering connection and healing even in the most challenging circumstances.

Themes

PityCompassionStrengthBarriersEmotions

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about the importance of empathy in leadership.

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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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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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