Skip to content

If we are mark'd to die, we are enow To do our country…

“If we are mark'd to die, we are enow To do our country loss; and if to live, The fewer men, the greater share of honour. God's will! I pray thee; wish not one man more.” quote by William Shakespeare
Download Open image
“If we are mark'd to die, we are enow To do our country loss; and if to live, The fewer men, the greater share of honour. God's will! I pray thee; wish not one man more.”

William Shakespeare

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Accepting mortality, he argues fewer soldiers can bring greater honor, invoking divine will.

In simple terms: Fewer men can achieve greater honor.

Key Takeaway

Embrace duty despite limited numbers.

Themes

honor war fate

Mood

somber reflective

Type

philosophical dramatic

When to use this quote

  • military strategy
  • public service
  • personal sacrifice

Key Concepts

Stoicism divine providence leadership

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does honor mean when lives are at stake?
  • How do you reconcile duty with personal loss?
A Different Perspective

Idealizing sacrifice may ignore human cost.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by William Shakespeare

Explore all 5,604 William Shakespeare quotes

More Country quotes

Browse all 29,881 Country quotes