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My lord, will you be true? Who, I? Alas, it is my vice, my…

“My lord, will you be true? Who, I? Alas, it is my vice, my fault: Whiles others fish with craft for great opinion, I with great truth catch mere simplicity; Whilst some with cunning gild their copper crowns, With truth and plainness I do wear mine bare. Fear not my truth: the moral of my wit Is…” quote by William Shakespeare
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““My lord, will you be true? Who, I? Alas, it is my vice, my fault: Whiles others fish with craft for great opinion, I with great truth catch mere simplicity; Whilst some with cunning gild their copper crowns, With truth and plainness I do wear mine bare. Fear not my truth: the moral of my wit Is "plain and true"; there's all the reach of it.””

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.

A speaker declares honesty and simplicity as moral virtues, contrasting them with deceitful craft and false prestige.

In simple terms: Honesty over deceit.

Key Takeaway

Value plain truth over flashy falsehoods.

Themes

honesty integrity humility

Mood

thoughtful serious

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • personal ethics
  • professional conduct
  • political discourse

Key Concepts

moral philosophy literary rhetoric

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you maintain integrity in a deceptive world?
  • When is modesty insufficient?
A Different Perspective

Simplicity may be exploited by those seeking advantage.

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