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Look on beauty, And you shall see 'tis purchased by the…

“Look on beauty, And you shall see 'tis purchased by the weight; Which therein works a miracle in nature, Making them lightest that wear most of it: So are those crisped snaky golden locks Which make such wanton gambols with the wind, Upon supposed fairness, often known To be the dowry of a second…” quote by William Shakespeare
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““Look on beauty, And you shall see 'tis purchased by the weight; Which therein works a miracle in nature, Making them lightest that wear most of it: So are those crisped snaky golden locks Which make such wanton gambols with the wind, Upon supposed fairness, often known To be the dowry of a second head, The skull that bred them in the sepulchre. Thus ornament is but the guiled shore To a most dangerous sea; the beauteous scarf Veiling an Indian beauty; in a word, The seeming truth which cunning times put on To entrap the wisest.””

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.

The quote warns that outward beauty can be deceptive, masking danger and falsehood.

In simple terms: Beauty can hide danger and deceit.

Key Takeaway

Look beyond appearances.

Themes

beauty deception danger appearance truth illusion

Mood

cautious reflective critical

Type

literary philosophical cautionary

When to use this quote

  • fashion judgment
  • social interactions
  • personal relationships
  • media representation

Key Concepts

philosophy literary metaphor human nature

Questions to Reflect On

  • What assumptions do you make about someone's appearance?
  • How can you verify the truth behind a pleasing exterior?
A Different Perspective

Superficial judgments can overlook deeper risks.

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