Shame Angelo Quote by William Shakespeare
““He who the sword of heaven will bear Should be as holy as severe; Pattern in himself to know, Grace to stand, and virtue go; More nor less to others paying Than by self-offences weighing. Shame to him whose cruel striking Kills for faults of his own liking! Twice treble shame on Angelo, To weed my vice and let his grow! O, what may man within him hide, Though angel on the outward side! How may likeness made in crimes, Making practise on the times, To draw with idle spiders' strings Most ponderous and substantial things! Craft against vice I must apply: With Angelo to-night shall lie His old betrothed but despised; So disguise shall, by the disguised, Pay with falsehood false exacting, And perform an old contracting.””
About This Quote
Source Play: Measure for Measure, Act 2, Scene 1
The speaker warns that those who wield great power must be morally pure, lest their actions cause greater harm and hypocrisy.
In simple terms: Power demands moral purity; hypocrisy leads to shame.
Key Takeaway
Ensure integrity when holding authority.
Themes
power
morality
hypocrisy
justice
authority
Mood
serious
reflective
Type
cautionary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- legal judgments
- personal relationships
- conflict of interest
Key Concepts
ethical responsibility
dual nature
self‑deception
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you guard your intentions when in power?
- What hidden motives might you overlook?
A Different Perspective
Even the pure‑hearted can be corrupted by secret motives.
