Adages Quote by William Shakespeare
“Art thou afeard To be the same in thine own act and valour As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that Which thou esteem'st the ornament of life, And live a coward in thine own esteem, Letting 'I dare not' wait upon 'I would,' Like the poor cat i' the adage?”
About This Quote
Source Play: Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 1, 1603
Shakespeare challenges the audience to confront whether they truly act with the same courage they desire, warning against cowardice in self‑esteem.
In simple terms: Ask if your actions match your desires.
Key Takeaway
Align deeds with inner values.
Themes
courage
self‑esteem
integrity
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
literary
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal decision making
- leadership challenges
- ethical dilemmas
Key Concepts
authenticity
inner conflict
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you act as you wish you could?
- What holds you back from being authentic?
A Different Perspective
Ideal courage may be unrealistic for everyone.
