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
So we'll live, And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh at gilded butterflies.
Interpretation
This quote reflects on the simplicity and joy of life, contrasting it with the superficiality of wealth and beauty.
In this quote, Shakespeare suggests that despite the complexities and challenges of life, one should focus on the fundamental joys such as living fully, praying, singing, sharing stories, and enjoying laughter. The 'gilded butterflies' symbolize things that may appear beautiful but are ultimately superficial, prompting us to appreciate the deeper, more meaningful experiences in life.
In practice
In a discussion about the importance of enjoying life's simple pleasures, this quote can serve as a reminder.
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.
A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment.
Could man be drunk for ever With liquor, love, or fights, Lief should I rouse at morning And lief lie down of nights. But men at whiles are sober And think by fits and starts, And if they think, they fasten Their hands upon their hearts.
I join the March for Life in Washington with my prayers. May God help us respect all life, especially the most vulnerable.
There is a part of me that will forever want to be walking under autumn leaves, carrying a briefcase containing the works of Shakespeare and Yeats and a portable chess set. I will pass an old tree under which once on a summer night I lay on the grass with a fragrant young woman and we quoted e.e. cummings back and forth.
Remember always, he said, that nothing is as precious to us as the magnificent gift of life. Let the moon and the stars always remind you of this-that though we are tiny creatures in this universe, we are filled with life.
Go forth into the busy world and love it. Interest yourself in its life, mingle kindly with its joys and sorrows.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.