Contempt Quote by William Shakespeare
““What our contempt often hurls from us, We wish it our again; the present pleasure, By revolution lowering, does become The opposite of itself””
About This Quote
Source Play: The Tempest, Act III, Scene 2, 1611
The lines convey that contempt can turn into a desire for its return, and that fleeting pleasure can become its opposite when altered by revolution.
In simple terms: Contempt can become longing; pleasure may reverse under upheaval.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how emotions can invert under pressure.
Themes
emotion
psychology
philosophy
conflict
change
human nature
Mood
introspective
melancholic
thought‑provoking
Type
literary
philosophical
psychological
When to use this quote
- personal journals
- literary analysis
- psychotherapy
- creative writing
- philosophical discourse
Key Concepts
cognitive dissonance
emotional inversion
revolutionary impact
desire
self‑reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- How does personal upheaval change our desires?
- Can contempt ever become affection?
A Different Perspective
The idea may be abstract and hard to apply concretely.
![“Every person of any rank in the left, from voter on up to cabinet member to elected official in the Democrat Party, has contempt. We [Republicans] are the number one enemy. And they will put aside whatever differences they have.” quote by Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/08a/rush-limbaugh-28_cabinets_every-person-of-any-rank-in-the-left-fro_29974.jpg){kind=icon}
