Imminent death Quote by William Shakespeare
““Rightly to be great Is not to stir without great argument, But greatly to find quarrel in a straw When honor’s at the stake. How stand I then, That have a father killed, a mother stained, Excitements of my reason and my blood, And let all sleep—while, to my shame, I see The imminent death of twenty thousand men, That for a fantasy and trick of fame Go to their graves like beds, fight for a plot Whereon the numbers cannot try the cause, Which is not tomb enough and continent To hide the slain? Oh, from this time forth, My thoughts be bloody, or be nothing worth!””
About This Quote
Source Play: Henry V, Act 2, Scene 3, 1599
Greatness requires confronting conflict with honor, not avoiding it; even amid personal loss, one must act decisively.
In simple terms: Face conflict honorably, even when grieving.
Key Takeaway
Act with honor despite hardship.
Themes
honor
conflict
leadership
Mood
reflective
dramatic
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- military decision
- political debate
- personal crisis
- ethical dilemmas
Key Concepts
moral courage
personal sacrifice
Questions to Reflect On
- What does true honor look like in modern life?
- How can leaders balance personal grief with duty?
A Different Perspective
Idealized heroism may ignore human frailty.
