Give thy thoughts no tongue, Nor any unproportioned…
““Give thy thoughts no tongue, Nor any unproportioned thought his act. Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar; Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel, But do not dull thy palm with entertainment Of each new-hatched unfledged comrade. Beware Of entrance to a quarrel, but being in, Bear’t that th’opposèd may beware of thee. Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice; Take each man’s censure, but reserve thy judgement. Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy, But not expressed in fancy; rich, not gaudy; For the apparel oft proclaims the man, And they in France of the best rank and station Are most select and generous, chief in that. Neither a borrower nor a lender be, For loan oft loses both itself and friend, And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry. This above all: to thine own self be true; And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Advice to practice restraint in speech, friendships, and finances, and to stay true to oneself; avoid vanity, conflict, and overextension.
In simple terms: Be cautious, honest, and self‑reliant.
Key Takeaway
Live authentically and wisely.
Themes
self‑discipline
authenticity
relationships
finance
conflict avoidance
Mood
thoughtful
reflective
Type
moral
philosophical
advice
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- career decisions
- financial planning
- conflict management
- friendship building
Key Concepts
Stoicism
human nature
social etiquette
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance honesty with diplomacy?
- When should you share your opinions?
A Different Perspective
May be overly idealistic for complex modern social dynamics.