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
Thou and I are too wise to woo peaceably.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that a deep understanding often complicates relationships and the pursuit of peace.
In this quote, Shakespeare implies that those who possess wisdom may find themselves at odds with each other, as their intellect allows them to perceive the complexities of peace and conflict. The recognition that neither party intends to engage in a peaceful resolution highlights the tension between intellect and interpersonal dynamics, suggesting that the pursuit of harmony may require a level of ignorance or simplicity that wise individuals do not possess.
Themes
WisdomConflictPeaceRelationshipsUnderstanding
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the complexities of international relations, this quote can highlight the challenges of negotiating peace.
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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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