Art Quote by William Shakespeare
“Yet, for I know thou art religious And hast a thing within thee called conscience, With twenty popish tricks and ceremonies Which I have seen thee careful to observe, Therefore I urge thy oath; for that I know An idiot holds his bauble for a god And keeps the oath which by that god he swears, To that I'll urge him: therefore thou shalt vow By that same god, what god soe'er it be, That thou adorest and hast in reverence, To save my boy, to nourish and bring him up, Or else I will discover naught to thee.”
About This Quote
Source Play: Henry IV, Part 2, Act 3, Scene 2 (c. 1598)
The speaker urges a person to swear an oath to any deity, exploiting their conscience and religious rituals for personal gain.
In simple terms: Manipulating conscience for selfish ends.
Key Takeaway
Beware of using faith as a tool for manipulation.
Themes
manipulation
conscience
religion
power dynamics
Mood
cautious
critical
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political negotiations
- family disputes
- religious debates
- legal oaths
Key Concepts
ethical persuasion
moral hypocrisy
social control
Questions to Reflect On
- How does exploiting belief affect relationships?
- When is invoking higher authority justified?
A Different Perspective
May erode genuine belief and trust.
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