The-merchant-of-venice Quote by William Shakespeare
““So doth the greater glory dim the less: A substitute shines brightly as a king Unto the king be by, and then his state Empties itself, as doth an inland brook Into the main of waters. Music! hark! NERISSA It is your music, madam, of the house. PORTIA Nothing is good, I see, without respect: Methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day. NERISSA Silence bestows that virtue on it, madam. PORTIA The crow doth sing as sweetly as the lark, When neither is attended, and I think The nightingale, if she should sing by day, When every goose is cackling, would be thought No better a musician than the wren. How many things by season season'd are To their right praise and true perfection! Peace, ho! the moon sleeps with Endymion And would not be awaked. - Acte V, Scene 1””
About This Quote
Source Play: The Merchant of Venice, Act V Scene 1
The passage reflects on how fame and praise can fade, and how silence or night can enhance beauty, suggesting that true merit is often unnoticed until contrasted with noise.
In simple terms: Fame fades, silence highlights true beauty.
Key Takeaway
Value quiet moments and subtle virtues.
Themes
fame
silence
beauty
perception
humility
Mood
reflective
contemplative
Type
literary
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- art criticism
- personal reflection
- nighttime contemplation
- literary analysis
Key Concepts
transience
contrast
valuation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does silence change your perception of art?
- When do you value subtlety over applause?
A Different Perspective
Quiet moments may be overlooked in a noisy world.
