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Behold Quote by William Shakespeare

“O, ho, are you there with me? No eyes in your head, nor no money in your purse? Your eyes are in a heavy case, your purse in a light: yet you see how this world goes. Ear; of Gloster, “I see it feelingly.” Lear, “What, art mad? A man may see how this world goes with no eyes. Look with thine ears…” quote by William Shakespeare
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““O, ho, are you there with me? No eyes in your head, nor no money in your purse? Your eyes are in a heavy case, your purse in a light: yet you see how this world goes. Ear; of Gloster, “I see it feelingly.” Lear, “What, art mad? A man may see how this world goes with no eyes. Look with thine ears: see how yond justice rails upon yond simple thief. Hark, in thine ear: change places; and handy-dandy, which is the justice, which is the thief? - Thou hast seen a farmer’s dog bark at a begger? Earl of Gloster, ‘Ay, sir. Lear, “And the creature run from the cur? There thou mightst behold the great image of authority: a dog’s obey’d in office. - Thou rascal beadle, hold thy bloody hand! Why dost though lash that whore? Strip thine own back; Thou hotly lusts to use her in that kind For which thou whipst her. The usurer hangs the cozener. Through tattere’d clothes small vices to appear; Robes and furr’d gowns hide all. Plate sin with gold, And the strong lance of justice hurtless breaks; Arm it in rags, a pygmy’s straw does pierce it. None does offend, none, - I say, none; I’ll able ‘em to seal the accuser’s lips. Get thee glass eyes; To see the things thou dost not. - Now, now, now, now: Pull off my boots: - harder, harder: - so. Edgar (aside), “O, matter and impertinency mixt! Reason in madness!””

William Shakespeare

About This Quote

Source Play: King Lear (Act 4, Scene 6)

True perception transcends sight; hearing and insight reveal justice and hypocrisy beyond appearances.

In simple terms: Seeing with ears, not eyes, uncovers truth.

Key Takeaway

Listen beyond the surface.

Themes

perception justice hypocrisy insight

Mood

dramatic thought‑provoking

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • legal judgment
  • personal bias
  • ethical decision‑making

Key Concepts

sensory metaphor moral ambiguity social critique

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you discern truth beyond appearances?
  • What senses guide your judgments?
A Different Perspective

Blindness can mislead; hearing may mislead too.

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