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
I find my zenith doth depend upon A most auspicious star, whose influence If now I court not, but omit, my fortunes Will ever after droop.
Interpretation
Success relies on recognizing and seizing the right opportunities.
In this quote from Shakespeare, the speaker reflects on the idea that their highest achievements ('zenith') are contingent upon favorable circumstances or influences ('auspicious star'). If these opportunities are neglected or overlooked, it is likely that their fortunes will decline over time. The message underscores the importance of being aware of and acting upon the moments that can lead to success.
In practice
This quote can be used during a motivational speech to emphasize the importance of seizing opportunities.
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.
There are stars whose radiance is visible on Earth though they have long been extinct. There are people whose brilliance continues to light the world even though they are no longer among the living. These lights are particularly bright when the night is dark. They light the way for humankind.
What is written without effort is in general read without pleasure.
The proof that one truly believes is in action.
You probably wouldn't worry about what people think of you if you could know how seldom they do.
Many (Christians) have zeal without knowledge, enthusiasm without enlightenment. In more modern jargon, they are keen but clueless.
Words are things. You must be careful, careful about calling people out of their names, using racial pejoratives and sexual pejoratives and all that ignorance. Donβt do that. Some day weβll be able to measure the power of words. I think they are things. They get on the walls. They get in your wallpaper. They get in your rugs, in your upholstery, and your clothes, and finally in to you.
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