Skip to content

Why, as men do a-land; the great ones eat up the little…

“Why, as men do a-land; the great ones eat up the little ones: I can compare our rich misers to nothing so fitly as to a whale; a' plays and tumbles, driving the poor fry before him, and at last devours them all at a mouthful:” quote by William Shakespeare
Download Open image
““Why, as men do a-land; the great ones eat up the little ones: I can compare our rich misers to nothing so fitly as to a whale; a' plays and tumbles, driving the poor fry before him, and at last devours them all at a mouthful:””

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 powerful exploit the weak, consuming them without remorse, much like a whale swallowing small fish.

In simple terms: The strong devour the weak.

Key Takeaway

Beware unchecked power.

Themes

power exploitation inequality

Mood

cautionary critical

Type

political social commentary

When to use this quote

  • political oppression
  • corporate monopolies
  • environmental exploitation

Key Concepts

social hierarchy predation greed

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do we protect the vulnerable?
  • What systems enable such predation?
A Different Perspective

Power can be challenged through collective resistance.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by William Shakespeare

Explore all 5,604 William Shakespeare quotes

More Misers quotes

Browse all 133 Misers quotes