Look thee, 'tis so! Thou singly honest man, Here, take…
““Look thee, 'tis so! Thou singly honest man, Here, take: the gods out of my misery Have sent thee treasure. Go, live rich and happy; But thus condition'd: thou shalt build from men; Hate all, curse all, show charity to none, But let the famish'd flesh slide from the bone, Ere thou relieve the beggar; give to dogs What thou deny'st to men; let prisons swallow 'em, Debts wither 'em to nothing; be men like blasted woods, And may diseases lick up their false bloods! And so farewell and thrive. FLAVIUS O, let me stay, And comfort you, my master. TIMON If thou hatest curses, Stay not; fly, whilst thou art blest and free: Ne'er see thou man, and let me ne'er see thee.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A bitter man, after being betrayed, condemns humanity and embraces misanthropy, rejecting all social bonds.
In simple terms: Betrayal can turn kindness into hatred.
Key Takeaway
Beware letting resentment consume you.
Themes
betrayal
misery
misandry
revenge
isolation
Mood
tragic
cynical
Type
dramatic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- personal betrayal
- community building
Key Concepts
human nature
social contract
moral decay
Questions to Reflect On
- Can hatred ever be healed?
- What would you do to restore trust?
A Different Perspective
Extremes of misanthropy ignore potential for redemption.