--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I had rather be a canker in a hedge than…" description: "\"“I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his grace; and it better fits my blood to be disdained of all than to fashion a carriage to rob lov..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a5/william-shakespeare-4_honest-man_i-had-rather-be-a-canker-in-a-hedge-than_1110007.jpg" --- # I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his… ![“I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his grace; and it better fits my blood to be disdained of all than to fashion a carriage to rob love from any: in this, though I cannot be said to be a flattering honest man, it must not be denied but I am a plain-dealing villain. I am trusted…” quote by William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a5/william-shakespeare-4_honest-man_i-had-rather-be-a-canker-in-a-hedge-than_1110007.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a5/william-shakespeare-4_honest-man_i-had-rather-be-a-canker-in-a-hedge-than_1110007.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a5/william-shakespeare-4_honest-man_i-had-rather-be-a-canker-in-a-hedge-than_1110007.jpg) > ““I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his grace; and it better fits my blood to be disdained of all than to fashion a carriage to rob love from any: in this, though I cannot be said to be a flattering honest man, it must not be denied but I am a plain-dealing villain. I am trusted with a muzzle and enfranchised with a clog; therefore I have decreed not to sing in my cage. If I had my mouth, I would bite; if I had my liberty, I would do my liking: in the meantime, let me be that I am, and seek not to alter me.”” [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The character embraces his villainous nature, rejecting pretenses and asserting freedom to act as he wishes. **In simple terms:** He chooses to be honest about his flawed self. Key Takeaway Accept and own your true nature. Themes identity honesty freedom self‑acceptance rebellion Mood defiant reflective Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - self‑reflection - personal growth - social interaction Key Concepts personal authenticity social masks individual liberty Questions to Reflect On - What does authenticity cost you? - Can one be both honest and socially accepted? A Different Perspective Society may punish nonconformity, limiting expression. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Villain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/villain/) ## Related quotes > [If I had my mouth, I would bite; if I had my liberty, I would do my liking. In the meantime, let me be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/if-i-had-my-mouth-i-would-bite-if-i-had-my-liberty-i-would-do-my-2/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [If I had my mouth, I would bite; if I had my liberty, I would do my liking. In the meantime, let me be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/if-i-had-my-mouth-i-would-bite-if-i-had-my-liberty-i-would-do-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Do not cast away an honest man for a villain's accusation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/do-not-cast-away-an-honest-man-for-a-villain-s-accusation/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An honest man, sir, is able to speak for himself, when a knave is not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/an-honest-man-sir-is-able-to-speak-for-himself-when-a-knave-is-not/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“Look thee, 'tis so! Thou singly honest man, Here, take: the gods out of my misery Have sent thee treasure. Go, live rich and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/look-thee-tis-so-thou-singly-honest-man-here-take-the-gods-out-of-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“Ay, that I had not done a thousand more. Even now I curse the day—and yet, I think, Few come within the compass of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/ay-that-i-had-not-done-a-thousand-more-even-now-i-curse-the-day-and/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“Villain, what hast thou done? Aaron: That which thou canst not undo. Chiron: Thou hast undone our mother. Aaron: Villain, I have done thy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/villain-what-hast-thou-done-aaron-that-which-thou-canst-not-undo/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“Villain I am none. Therefore farewell. I see thou knowest me not.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/villain-i-am-none-therefore-farewell-i-see-thou-knowest-me-not/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Thou whoreson, senseless villain!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/thou-whoreson-senseless-villain/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Milk-livered man, That bear'st a cheek for blows, a head for wrongs; Who hast not in thy brows an eye discerning Thine honor from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/milk-livered-man-that-bear-st-a-cheek-for-blows-a-head-for-wrongs-who/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [This is the excellent foppery of the world, that, when we are sick in fortune,--often the surfeit of our own behavior,--we make guilty of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/this-is-the-excellent-foppery-of-the-world-that-when-we-are-sick-in/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose. An evil soul producing holy witness Is like a villain with a smiling cheek, A goodly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/the-devil-can-cite-scripture-for-his-purpose-an-evil-soul-producing/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Thou whoreson zed! Thou unnecessary letter! My lord, if you will give me leave, I will tread this unbolted villain into mortar, and daub…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/thou-whoreson-zed-thou-unnecessary-letter-my-lord-if-you-will-give-me/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“An honest man is a debtless man, he doesn't owe anyone anything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/an-honest-man-is-a-debtless-man-he-doesn-t-owe-anyone-anything/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [Tobacco is the passion of honest men and he who lives without tobacco is not worthy of living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/tobacco-is-the-passion-of-honest-men-and-he-who-lives-without-tobacco/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) ## More by William Shakespeare > [Let us kill all lawyers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/let-us-kill-all-lawyers/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/a-horse-a-horse-my-kingdom-for-a-horse/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [O tiger's heart wrapped in a woman's hide!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/o-tiger-s-heart-wrapped-in-a-woman-s-hide/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Divers philosophers hold that the lips is parcel of the mouth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/divers-philosophers-hold-that-the-lips-is-parcel-of-the-mouth/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Short time seems long in sorrow's sharp sustaining.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/short-time-seems-long-in-sorrow-s-sharp-sustaining/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs; Being purg'd, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes; Being vex'd, a sea nourish'd with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/love-is-a-smoke-made-with-the-fume-of-sighs-being-purg-d-a-fire/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [I, measuring his affections by my own, Which then most sought where most might not be found, Being one too many by my weary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/i-measuring-his-affections-by-my-own-which-then-most-sought-where/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Ask God for temp'rance. That's th' appliance only Which your disease requires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/ask-god-for-temp-rance-that-s-th-appliance-only-which-your-disease/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies Which busy care draws in the brains of men; Therefore thou sleep’st so sound. Julius Caesar (2.1.248-251)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/thou-hast-no-figures-nor-no-fantasies-which-busy-care-draws-in-the/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Truth needs no color; beauty, no pencil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/truth-needs-no-color-beauty-no-pencil/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Have you not heard it said full oft, A woman's nay doth stand for naught?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/have-you-not-heard-it-said-full-oft-a-woman-s-nay-doth-stand-for/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Omittance is no quittance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/omittance-is-no-quittance/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“Yes, madam: yet I cannot choose but laugh, To think it should leave crying and say 'Ay.' And yet, I warrant, it had upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/yes-madam-yet-i-cannot-choose-but-laugh-to-think-it-should-leave/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [I take thee at thy word: Call me but love, and I'll be new baptized; Henceforth I never will be Romeo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/i-take-thee-at-thy-word-call-me-but-love-and-i-ll-be-new-baptized/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) [Explore all 5,604 William Shakespeare quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) ## More Honest man quotes > [Tobacco is the passion of honest men and he who lives without tobacco is not worthy of living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moliere/tobacco-is-the-passion-of-honest-men-and-he-who-lives-without-tobacco/) [Moliere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moliere/) > [“An honest man is a debtless man, he doesn't owe anyone anything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/an-honest-man-is-a-debtless-man-he-doesn-t-owe-anyone-anything/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [“Daughter! Get you an honest Man for a Husband, and keep him honest. No matter whether he is rich, provided he be independent. Regard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/daughter-get-you-an-honest-man-for-a-husband-and-keep-him-honest-no/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [It is often sadly remarked that the bad economists present their errors to the public better than the good economists present their truths. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-hazlitt/it-is-often-sadly-remarked-that-the-bad-economists-present-their/) [Henry Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-hazlitt/) > [Humanity is not perfect in any fashion; no more in the case of evil than in that of good. The criminal has his virtues,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-choderlos-de-laclos/humanity-is-not-perfect-in-any-fashion-no-more-in-the-case-of-evil/) [Pierre Choderlos de Laclos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-choderlos-de-laclos/) > [The surest way to remain poor is to be an honest man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/the-surest-way-to-remain-poor-is-to-be-an-honest-man/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [There are courageous and honest men enough in both sections to fight. There is no question of courage involved. The people of both sections…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-toombs/there-are-courageous-and-honest-men-enough-in-both-sections-to-fight/) [Robert Toombs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-toombs/) > [An honest man is all right even if he's an idiot...but a crook must have brains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxim-gorky/an-honest-man-is-all-right-even-if-he-s-an-idiot-but-a-crook-must/) [Maxim Gorky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxim-gorky/) > [“As far as I could tell, he earned his hundred thousand a year by wandering the hallway with a Styrofoam cup of coffee, smiling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-perrotta/as-far-as-i-could-tell-he-earned-his-hundred-thousand-a-year-by/) [Tom Perrotta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perrotta/) > [“What honest man was never in his life without sustenance? And what human being has ever seen as the years pass his hopes, plans,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-walser/what-honest-man-was-never-in-his-life-without-sustenance-and-what/) [Robert Walser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-walser/) > [In modern business it is not the crook who is to be feared most, it is the honest man who doesn't know what he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wordsworth/in-modern-business-it-is-not-the-crook-who-is-to-be-feared-most-it-is/) [William Wordsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wordsworth/) > [“You couldn't listen to honest man whom you hate.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/you-couldn-t-listen-to-honest-man-whom-you-hate/) [Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/) > [With a woman, always make good use of a secret. She will be proportionally grateful to you, like a scoundrel who grants his respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/with-a-woman-always-make-good-use-of-a-secret-she-will-be/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [“Well, it's a choice like any other, even though it's stupid to believe we can control the world and to allow ourselves to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/well-it-s-a-choice-like-any-other-even-though-it-s-stupid-to-believe/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [An honest man is in Hell when he is in debt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-golden-kimball/an-honest-man-is-in-hell-when-he-is-in-debt/) [J. Golden Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-golden-kimball/) Browse all 405 Honest man quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I had rather be a canker in a hedge than a rose in his grace; and it better fits my blood to be disdained of all than to fashion a carriage to rob love from any: in this, though I cannot be said to be a flattering honest man, it must not be denied but I am a plain-dealing villain. I am trusted with a muzzle and enfranchised with a clog; therefore I have decreed not to sing in my cage. 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