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Beauty Quote by William Shakespeare

“Unthrifty loveliness, why dost thou spend Upon thy self thy beauty's legacy? Nature's bequest gives nothing, but doth lend, And being frank she lends to those are free: Then, beauteous niggard, why dost thou abuse The bounteous largess given thee to give? Profitless usurer, why dost thou use So…” quote by William Shakespeare
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““Unthrifty loveliness, why dost thou spend Upon thy self thy beauty's legacy? Nature's bequest gives nothing, but doth lend, And being frank she lends to those are free: Then, beauteous niggard, why dost thou abuse The bounteous largess given thee to give? Profitless usurer, why dost thou use So great a sum of sums, yet canst not live? For having traffic with thy self alone, Thou of thy self thy sweet self dost deceive: Then how when nature calls thee to be gone, What acceptable audit canst thou leave? Thy unused beauty must be tombed with thee, Which, used, lives th' executor to be.””

William Shakespeare

About This Quote

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

The speaker laments wasteful beauty, urging use of one’s gifts rather than hoarding them uselessly.

In simple terms: Don’t waste your talents; put them to use.

Key Takeaway

Apply your abilities before they’re lost.

Themes

beauty waste self‑deception mortality

Mood

reflective poetic

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • career planning
  • artistic creation
  • personal development

Key Concepts

human nature resource allocation legacy

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance self‑interest with generosity?
  • What prevents you from using your talents fully?
A Different Perspective

Focusing on usage may ignore external constraints.

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