Live and die Quote by William Shakespeare
““They that have power to hurt and will do none, That do not do the thing they most do show, Who, moving others, are themselves as stone, Unmoved, cold, and to temptation slow, They rightly do inherit Heaven's graces, And husband nature's riches from expense; They are the lords and owners of their faces, Others but stewards of their excellence. The summer's flow'r is to the summer sweet Though to itself it only live and die; But if that flow'r with base infection meet, The basest weed outbraves his dignity: For sweetest things turn sourest by their deeds; Lillies that fester smell far worse than weeds.””
About This Quote
Source Play: The Tempest, Act 5, Scene 1
Powerful individuals who refrain from harming others show true strength and moral integrity, while those who succumb to base impulses degrade themselves.
In simple terms: Self‑control shows true power.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate restraint.
Themes
integrity
power
morality
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- leadership
- personal development
- conflict resolution
- ethical decision‑making
Key Concepts
Stoicism
ethical leadership
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you practice restraint in daily life?
- What pressures test your moral compass?
A Different Perspective
Even the virtuous can be tempted by desire.
