Bleak Quote by William Shakespeare
“I love him for his sake; And yet I know him a notorious liar, Think him a great way fool, solely a coward; Yet these fix'd evils sit so fit in him That they take place when virtue's steely bones Looks bleak i' th' cold wind; withal, full oft we see Cold wisdom waiting on superfluous folly.”
About This Quote
Source Play: Measure for Measure, Act 2, Scene 2, 1604
The speaker admires a man despite his deceit, noting that his flaws fit him like a suit, and that wisdom often hides behind foolishness.
In simple terms: Admiration mixed with criticism of a deceptive person.
Key Takeaway
Recognize both virtue and vice in others.
Themes
admirations
deception
virtue
wisdom
folly
Mood
reflective
melancholic
Type
literary
dramatic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political intrigue
- personal relationships
- courtly settings
Key Concepts
human nature
dualism
appearance vs reality
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile admiration with awareness of flaws?
- When does folly mask wisdom?
A Different Perspective
Human behavior is complex and contradictory.
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