Thus play I in one person many people, And none contented…
“Thus play I in one person many people, And none contented: sometimes am I king; Then treasons make me wish myself a beggar, And so I am: then crushing penury Persuades me I was better when a king; Then am I king'd again: and by and by Think that I am unking'd by Bolingbroke, And straight am nothing: but whate'er I be, Nor I nor any man that but man is With nothing shall be pleased, till he be eased With being nothing.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of power and wealth, noting that both riches and poverty bring discontent, and true peace comes from inner acceptance of one's state.
In simple terms: Power and wealth are fleeting; inner peace comes from acceptance.
Key Takeaway
Seek contentment within, not in status.
Themes
power
contentment
impermanence
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- personal ambition
- financial hardship
- self‑reflection
Key Concepts
philosophy
human nature
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What does true contentment look like for you?
- How can you find peace regardless of status?
A Different Perspective
Even when content, external pressures can still cause unrest.