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Art Quote by William Shakespeare

“Tis well thou art not fish; if thou hadst, thou hadst been poor-John.” quote by William Shakespeare
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““Tis well thou art not fish; if thou hadst, thou hadst been poor-John.””

William Shakespeare

About This Quote

Source Play: Henry V, Act 2, Scene 2, 1599

A humorous warning that being a fish would lead to poverty, implying human labor is essential for wealth.

In simple terms: Being a fish would make you poor.

Key Takeaway

Value work over idle existence.

Themes

humor economics human nature

Mood

witty thought‑provoking

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • job market
  • personal finance
  • career planning

Key Concepts

social commentary satire class critique

Questions to Reflect On

  • Do you rely on work for identity?
  • What does “poor‑John” symbolize?
A Different Perspective

Satire may oversimplify complex economic realities.

3.1 out of 5 (6 ratings)

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