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
You are not wood, you are not stones, but men.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the human capacity for emotion and action, contrasting humans with inanimate objects.
Shakespeare's quote highlights the essence of humanity, arguing that unlike wood and stones, which are lifeless and unfeeling, humans are capable of thought, emotion, and moral decisions. It serves as a reminder of our abilities and responsibilities as sentient beings, urging individuals to recognize their own humanity and the depth it brings to life.
Themes
HumanityEmotionExistenceResponsibilitySentience
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of emotional intelligence.
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