Grief Quote by William Shakespeare
““I pray thee, cease thy counsel, Which falls into mine ears as profitless As water in a sieve: give not me counsel; Nor let no comforter delight mine ear But such a one whose wrongs do suit with mine: ... for, brother, men Can counsel and speak comfort to that grief Which they themselves not feel; but, tasting it, Their counsel turns to passion, which before Would give preceptial medicine to rage, Fetter strong madness in a silken thread, Charm ache with air and agony with words. No, no; 'tis all men's office to speak patience To those that wring under the load of sorrow, But no man's virtue nor sufficiency To be so moral when he shall endure The like himself. Therefore give me no counsel: My griefs cry louder than advertisement.””
About This Quote
Source Play: King Lear, Act 2 Scene 4, c. 1605
The speaker rejects advice from those who cannot share his suffering, seeing such counsel as empty and potentially harmful.
In simple terms: Avoid advice from those who don’t understand your pain.
Key Takeaway
Seek empathy, not hollow words.
Themes
suffering
empathy
communication
Mood
melancholic
reflective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- grief counseling
- personal loss
- support groups
- mental health therapy
Key Concepts
Stoicism
emotional intelligence
Questions to Reflect On
- Who truly understands your grief?
- How can you offer comfort without imposing your own feelings?
A Different Perspective
Even well‑meaning counsel can worsen pain if it lacks shared experience.
