Great men, Till they have gained their ends, are giants in…
“Great men, Till they have gained their ends, are giants in Their promises, but, those obtained, weak pigmies In their performance. And it is a maxim Allowed among them, so they may deceive, They may swear anything; for the queen of love, As they hold constantly, does never punish, But smile, at lovers' perjuries.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
People appear great while pursuing goals, but become insignificant after achieving them, and they often deceive with false promises.
In simple terms: Success can shrink one's stature and lead to deceit.
Key Takeaway
Beware of hollow promises.
Themes
ambition
deception
pride
transience
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political negotiations
- business deals
- personal relationships
- leadership assessments
- public speeches
Key Concepts
Tragedy
dramatic irony
human frailty
Questions to Reflect On
- What promises have you kept that felt empty?
- How do you assess true character after success?
A Different Perspective
Success may be fleeting; promises can be broken.