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True, I talk of dreams, Which are the children of an idle brain, Begot of nothing but vain fantasy.
William Shakespeare
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Dreams often stem from imagination and idleness, reflecting our fantasies rather than reality.

In this quote, Shakespeare expresses a skepticism about dreams, suggesting that they arise from a mind that has wandered too far into idle thoughts. He emphasizes that dreams are mere products of imagination without tangible foundation, pointing out the distinction between aspiration and fantasy.

Themes

DreamsFantasyImaginationIdlenessReality

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about harnessing creativity and addressing the difference between realistic goals and mere fantasies.

More from William Shakespeare

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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Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people.
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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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