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
Sweet love! Sweet lines! Sweet life! Here is her hand, the agent of her heart; Here is her oath for love, her honour's pawn
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote expresses the joy and sweetness of love while highlighting the importance of commitment and honor in a romantic relationship.
In this quote, Shakespeare emphasizes the beauty and sweetness of love as he reflects on the deep connection between two individuals. He portrays love as a sacred bond that encompasses gestures of affection, commitment, and the honor held within the relationship. The agent of her heart symbolizes trust, while the mention of her oath emphasizes the seriousness of their love, suggesting that true love is both joyous and grounded in respect and integrity.
Themes
LoveCommitmentHonorSweetnessRelationship
In practice
Example use cases
In a wedding speech to celebrate the couple's love and commitment.
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Similar quotes
The highest degree of love is Tatayyum (total enthrallment). The lowest degree is 'alaqah (attachment), when the heart is attached to the beloved: then comes sabahah (infatuation), when the heart is poured out: then gharam (passion), when love never leaves the heart: the nashaq (ardent love), and finally tatayyum.
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We can exaggerate about many things; but we can never exaggerate our obligation to Jesus, or the compassionate abundance of the love of Jesus to us. All our lives long we might talk of Jesus, and yet we should never come to an end of the sweet things that might be said of Him.
Frederick William FaberRead
Let this be my last word, that I trust in thy love.
Rabindranath TagoreRead
Since love grows within you, so beauty grows. For love is the beauty of the soul.
Saint AugustineRead
Darling, You asked me to write you a letter, so I am writing you a letter. I do not know why I am writing you this letter, or what this letter is supposed to be about, but I am writing it nonetheless, because I love you very much and trust that you have some good purpose for having me write this letter. I hope that one day you will have the experience of doing something you do not understand for someone you love. Your father
Jonathan Safran FoerRead
Real love is demanding. I would fail in my mission if I did not clearly tell you so. For it was Jesus - our Jesus himself - who said: 'You are my friends if you do what I command you'. Love demands effort and a personal commitment to the will of God. It means discipline and sacrifice, but it also means joy and human fulfilment.
Pope John Paul IiRead