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'Twas but my tongue, 'twas not my soul that swore.
Euripides
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote suggests that spoken promises may not reflect true intentions or feelings.

Euripides conveys the idea that words can be deceptive; while one may verbally commit to something, it does not necessarily mean they believe in it or have the conviction in their heart. This highlights the distinction between mere language and genuine sentiment, emphasizing that true intentions often lie beyond what is spoken.

Themes

WordsIntentionsDeceptionTruthSoul

In practice

Example use cases

In a debate about honesty, one might use this quote to illustrate the difference between spoken promises and true beliefs.

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I love the old way best, the simple way of poison, where we too are strong as men.
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