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
A violet in the youth of primy nature, Forward, not permanent--sweet, not lasting; The perfume and suppliance of a minute; No more.
Interpretation
This quote reflects on the fleeting nature of youth and beauty.
In this quote, Shakespeare poetically expresses the transient beauty of youth, comparing it to a violet that blooms but is not permanent. The imagery suggests that while youth brings sweetness and a delightful fragrance, it is ultimately a brief moment, reminding us to cherish these ephemeral experiences.
In practice
In a graduation speech reflecting on the rise and fall of youth.
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).
Love bears it out even to the edge of doom.
Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people.
Absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it; the one brings fuel, the other blows it till it burns clear.
Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying!
Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
When you are eighty years old, and in a quiet moment of reflection narrating for only yourself the most personal version of your life story, the telling that will be most compact and meaningful will be the series of choices you have made. In the end, we are our choices.
Old ideas can sometimes use new buildings. New ideas must use old buildings.
People who understand everything get no stories.
Take notice not only of the mercies of God, but of God in the mercies. Mercies are never so savoury as when they savour a Saviour.
Whoever cultivates the golden mean avoids both the poverty of a hovel and the envy of a palace.
We who were born were not witnesses to our birth: like death, it is something we are forever after trying to catch sight of.
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