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
The world is not thy friend, nor the world's law. - Romeo
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that the world is indifferent to individuals, and that societal rules may not always align with personal interests.
In this line from 'Romeo and Juliet', Shakespeare implies a deep skepticism about the nature of the world and its governing laws. It reflects the notion that the world is often a hostile place, where individuals must navigate their own paths, and that the societal norms or 'world's law' should not dictate one's personal values or decisions. This can inspire people to forge their own destinies rather than blindly conforming to external expectations.
Themes
WorldFriendshipLawIndifferenceIndividualism
In practice
Example use cases
A speaker addressing a graduation ceremony may use this quote to encourage graduates to think independently.
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Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
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