Skip to content

Robbed Quote by William Shakespeare

“The robbed that smiles steals something from the thief; He robs himself that spends a bootless grief.” quote by William Shakespeare
Download Open image
“The robbed that smiles steals something from the thief; He robs himself that spends a bootless grief.”

William Shakespeare

About This Quote

Source Play: The Comedy of Errors, Act 2, Scene 3, 1594

A smile can be a thief, stealing joy from the giver and causing personal grief.

In simple terms: Smiles can hurt both giver and receiver.

Key Takeaway

Be mindful of how you share emotions.

Themes

empathy self‑awareness relationships

Mood

reflective cautious

Type

philosophical literary

When to use this quote

  • conflict resolution
  • personal counseling
  • team dynamics

Key Concepts

psychology emotional exchange trust

Questions to Reflect On

  • Do you smile when you’re sad?
  • How does your smile affect others?
A Different Perspective

May overlook positive aspects of smiling.

3.5 out of 5 (8 ratings)

More by William Shakespeare

Explore all 5,607 William Shakespeare quotes

More Robbed quotes

Browse all 177 Robbed quotes