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Dance Quote by William Shakespeare

“Wooing, wedding, and repenting is as a Scotch jig, a measure, and a cinque-pace: the first suit is hot and hasty like a Scotch jig--and full as fantastical; the wedding, mannerly modest, as a measure, full of state and ancientry; and then comes repentance and with his bad legs falls into the…” quote by William Shakespeare
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“Wooing, wedding, and repenting is as a Scotch jig, a measure, and a cinque-pace: the first suit is hot and hasty like a Scotch jig--and full as fantastical; the wedding, mannerly modest, as a measure, full of state and ancientry; and then comes repentance and with his bad legs falls into the cinque-pace faster and faster, till he sink into his grave.”

William Shakespeare

About This Quote

Source Play: The Merry Wives of Windsor, Act 2, Scene 3

Life stages progress from passionate beginnings to measured commitment, ending in remorse and decline.

In simple terms: Life moves from excitement to responsibility to regret.

Key Takeaway

Recognize each stage’s rhythm.

Themes

love marriage aging regret life cycles

Mood

reflective melancholic cautious

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • courtship
  • wedding planning
  • midlife reflection
  • end‑of‑life contemplation

Key Concepts

human development temporal metaphor social expectations

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you balance passion with prudence?
  • What regrets might you avoid by planning ahead?
A Different Perspective

Neglecting reflection can repeat mistakes.

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