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Honor Quote by Richard Lovelace

“To Lucasta, Going to the Wars Tell me not, Sweet, I am unkind, That from the nunnery Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind To war and arms I fly. True, a new mistress now I chase, The first foe in the field; And with a stronger faith embrace A sword, a horse, a shield. Yet this inconstancy is such…” quote by Richard Lovelace
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““ To Lucasta, Going to the Wars Tell me not, Sweet, I am unkind, That from the nunnery Of thy chaste breast and quiet mind To war and arms I fly. True, a new mistress now I chase, The first foe in the field; And with a stronger faith embrace A sword, a horse, a shield. Yet this inconstancy is such As thou too shalt adore; I could not love thee, Dear, so much, Loved I not Honour more.””

Richard Lovelace

About This Quote

Source Poem: "To Lucasta, Going to the War", 1649

A lover leaves a beloved for war, choosing honor over personal affection.

In simple terms: Choosing duty over love.

Key Takeaway

Weigh honor against personal desire.

Themes

honor love conflict duty

Mood

tragic reflective

Type

poetic historical

When to use this quote

  • Military enlistment
  • career change
  • ethical dilemmas
  • relationship decisions

Key Concepts

Chivalry personal sacrifice

Questions to Reflect On

  • Is it justifiable to abandon love for duty?
  • How do you reconcile personal desire with societal expectations?
A Different Perspective

Honor can conflict with personal happiness.

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