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
I am a true laborer: I earn that I eat, get that I wear, owe no man hate, envy no man's happiness, glad of other men's good, content with my harm.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the value of hard work and contentment, showcasing a humble attitude towards life and others' successes.
In this quote, Shakespeare expresses a philosophy of self-sufficiency and humility. He reflects on the importance of earning one's keep through hard work, while also promoting a sense of community and goodwill towards others. By stating he does not harbor negative feelings like hate or envy, he conveys a deeper understanding that one's own contentment should not come at the expense of others' happiness. This outlook fosters a positive and harmonious social environment.
Themes
Hard WorkContentmentHumilityPositivityCommunitySuccess
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can inspire employees during a team-building event.
More from William Shakespeare
All quotes βLove bears it out even to the edge of doom.
William ShakespeareRead
Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people.
William ShakespeareRead
Absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it; the one brings fuel, the other blows it till it burns clear.
William ShakespeareRead
Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying!
William ShakespeareRead
Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
William ShakespeareRead
Similar quotes
The only time you should look down at someone, is when you are helping them up.
Jesse JacksonRead
Strength of mind is exercise, not rest.
Alexander PopeRead
We work so hard to get somewhere, to realize a dream, to arrive at some destination, that we often forget that though some satisfaction may be waiting at the end of our endurance and effort, there is great and irreplaceable aliveness in the steps along the way.
Mark NepoRead
A man can no more take in a supply of grace for the future than he can eat enough today to last him for the next 6 months, nor can he inhale sufficient air into his lungs with one breath to sustain life for a week to come. We are permitted to draw upon God's store of grace from day to day as we need it.
Dwight L. MoodyRead
Sometimes the ideas that mean the most to you will feel true long before you can quite formulate them or justify them.
Robert PinskyRead
You do things when the opportunities come along. I've had periods in my life when I've had a bundle of ideas come along, and I've had long dry spells. If I get an idea next week, I'll do something. If not, I won't do a damn thing.
Warren BuffettRead