Alive Quote by William Shakespeare
“By Jove, I am not covetous for gold, Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost; It yearns me not if me my garments wear; Such outward things dwell not in my desires: But if it be a sin to covet honor, I am the most offending soul alive.”
About This Quote
Source Play: "The Merchant of Venice", William Shakespeare, 1596
The speaker denies greed for material wealth, yet admits a desire for honor, suggesting a conflict between material and reputational values.
In simple terms: He isn’t greedy for gold but covets honor, feeling sinful.
Key Takeaway
Balance material wants with moral integrity.
Themes
honor
greed
morality
self‑reflection
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
ethical
literary
When to use this quote
- political ambition
- career advancement
- social standing
- personal reputation
Key Concepts
ethical conflict
social status
personal virtue
Questions to Reflect On
- What truly drives your ambitions?
- How do you reconcile material desire with moral values?
A Different Perspective
The self‑contradiction may reflect hypocrisy.
![“It [covetousness] is a sin against God, just as all mortal sins, in as much as man condemns things eternal for the sake of temporal things.” quote by Thomas Aquinas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c05/thomas-aquinas-837_eternal_it-covetousness-is-a-sin-against-god-jus_526481.jpg)
