--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have learn'd that fearful commenting Is…" description: "\"“I have learn'd that fearful commenting Is leaden servitor to dull delay; Delay leads impotent and snail-pac'd beggary. Then fiery expedition be my win..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43c/william-shakespeare-4_fear_i-have-learn-d-that-fearful-commenting-i_259140.jpg" --- # I have learn'd that fearful commenting Is leaden servitor… ![“I have learn'd that fearful commenting Is leaden servitor to dull delay; Delay leads impotent and snail-pac'd beggary. Then fiery expedition be my wing, Jove's Mercury, and herald for a king! Go, muster men. My counsel is my shield. We must be brief when traitors brave the field.” quote by William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43c/william-shakespeare-4_fear_i-have-learn-d-that-fearful-commenting-i_259140.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43c/william-shakespeare-4_fear_i-have-learn-d-that-fearful-commenting-i_259140.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43c/william-shakespeare-4_fear_i-have-learn-d-that-fearful-commenting-i_259140.jpg) > ““I have learn'd that fearful commenting Is leaden servitor to dull delay; Delay leads impotent and snail-pac'd beggary. Then fiery expedition be my wing, Jove's Mercury, and herald for a king! Go, muster men. My counsel is my shield. We must be brief when traitors brave the field.”” [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. Urgent action and bold counsel are essential in war; hesitation leads to decay and poverty. **In simple terms:** Act quickly, be brave, avoid delay. Key Takeaway Act decisively, trust your counsel. Themes war leadership urgency delay courage Mood determined energetic inspirational Type motivational historical strategic When to use this quote - battle planning - motivational speech - team leadership - overcoming procrastination Key Concepts military strategy heroic rhetoric impermanence Questions to Reflect On - What delays are you facing now? - How can you become your own “shield”? A Different Perspective The archaic language may obscure practical application for modern readers. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Richard-iii](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/richard-iii-2/) ## Related quotes > [We must be brief when traitors brave the field.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/we-must-be-brief-when-traitors-brave-the-field/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Delay leads impotent and snail-paced beggary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/delay-leads-impotent-and-snail-paced-beggary/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [But there is no such man; for, brother, men Can counsel and speak comfort to that grief Which they themselves not feel; but, tasting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/but-there-is-no-such-man-for-brother-men-can-counsel-and-speak/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“I pray thee, cease thy counsel, Which falls into mine ears as profitless As water in a sieve: give not me counsel; Nor let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/i-pray-thee-cease-thy-counsel-which-falls-into-mine-ears-as-2/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“Madam, my mother, I do cry you mercy;I did not see your Grace. Humbly on my knee I crave your blessing. DUCHESS. God bless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/madam-my-mother-i-do-cry-you-mercy-i-did-not-see-your-grace-humbly-on/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“Bad is the world, and all will come to naught when such ill-dealing must be seen in thought.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/bad-is-the-world-and-all-will-come-to-naught-when-such-ill-dealing/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“O thou well skill'd in curses, stay awhile And teach me how to curse mine enemies! QUEEN MARGARET. Forbear to sleep the nights, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/o-thou-well-skill-d-in-curses-stay-awhile-and-teach-me-how-to-curse/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“Uncertain way of gain. But I am in So far in blood that sin will pluck on sin. Tear-falling pity dwells not in this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/uncertain-way-of-gain-but-i-am-in-so-far-in-blood-that-sin-will-pluck/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“Here is the indictment of the good Lord Hastings; Which in a set hand fairly is engross'd That it may be to-day read o'er…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/here-is-the-indictment-of-the-good-lord-hastings-which-in-a-set-hand/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Tis possible, young sir, that some excess Mars youthful judgment and old men's no less; Yet we must take our counsel as we may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-hugh-clough/tis-possible-young-sir-that-some-excess-mars-youthful-judgment-and/) [Arthur Hugh Clough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-hugh-clough/) > [“Francis stared down at the Duchess of York's letter. He swallowed, then read aloud in a husky voice, "It was showed by John Sponer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-kay-penman/francis-stared-down-at-the-duchess-of-york-s-letter-he-swallowed-then/) [Sharon Kay Penman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-kay-penman/) > [“I love violent Shakespeare. It is to me what steak is to some people: the bloodier the better.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mara-wilson/i-love-violent-shakespeare-it-is-to-me-what-steak-is-to-some-people/) [Mara Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mara-wilson/) > [“Grant paused in the act of turning the thing over, to consider the face a moment longer. A judge? A soldier? A prince? Someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine-tey/grant-paused-in-the-act-of-turning-the-thing-over-to-consider-the/) [Josephine Tey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine-tey/) > [“Richard knew, of course, that his was thought to be an unlucky title; only twice before had a Richard ruled England, and both met…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-kay-penman/richard-knew-of-course-that-his-was-thought-to-be-an-unlucky-title/) [Sharon Kay Penman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-kay-penman/) > [“Say yes,’ he whispers. ‘Marry me.’ I hesitate. I open my eyes. ‘You will get my fortune,’ I remark. ‘When I marry you, everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippa-gregory/say-yes-he-whispers-marry-me-i-hesitate-i-open-my-eyes-you-will-get/) [Philippa Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippa-gregory/) ## 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 Fear quotes > [This may sound strange, but although I feel like I know everything about my characters, the brand of shampoo they use, how many cavities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-honeyman/this-may-sound-strange-but-although-i-feel-like-i-know-everything/) [Gail Honeyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-honeyman/) > [“That horrible stinging sensation returned, the muscles behind my eyes straining as the first tear began to fall. “I’m scared, too. For eighteen months…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devon-ashley/that-horrible-stinging-sensation-returned-the-muscles-behind-my-eyes/) [Devon Ashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devon-ashley/) > [“...Often that which most we fear births the resolve that spurs us on to altitudes we could not have achieved, had we continued walking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-t-anderson/often-that-which-most-we-fear-births-the-resolve-that-spurs-us-on-to/) [M.T. Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-t-anderson/) > [What an incredible drug fear is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/what-an-incredible-drug-fear-is/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“Anything that you find yourself worrying about regularly may find you suddenly wanting unrealistic changes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nagisa-tatsumi/anything-that-you-find-yourself-worrying-about-regularly-may-find-you/) Nagisa Tatsumi > [“We all know how the thing we secretly fear is not a secret at all but the open and eternal thing that predicts its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-delillo/we-all-know-how-the-thing-we-secretly-fear-is-not-a-secret-at-all-but/) [Don DeLillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-delillo/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [“I had nowhere to go and did not wish to be seen by anyone for fear they would recognize my sadness and so for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-dewitt/i-had-nowhere-to-go-and-did-not-wish-to-be-seen-by-anyone-for-fear/) [Patrick deWitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-dewitt/) > [It's easier to change a law than an age-old mentality. Deep down, many prejudices, many hostilities, many fears persist. But if we take a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dacia-maraini/it-s-easier-to-change-a-law-than-an-age-old-mentality-deep-down-many/) [Dacia Maraini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dacia-maraini/) > [“Snip off the little worries and expressions of worry” like little branches atop a tall tree.28 If you are truly worried, sharing your concerns…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-sanders/snip-off-the-little-worries-and-expressions-of-worry-like-little/) [Tim Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-sanders/) > [“Fear and desire for pleasure. Aggressiveness comes out of fear, predominantly, and sexuality predominantly out of the other. But they mix in the middle.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-french/fear-and-desire-for-pleasure-aggressiveness-comes-out-of-fear/) [Marilyn French](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-french/) > [“Carrie Fisher. “Stay afraid, but do it anyway.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabrielle-union/carrie-fisher-stay-afraid-but-do-it-anyway/) [Gabrielle Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabrielle-union/) > [“Yes, the issue was courage. It always had been, even as a kid. Things scared him. He couldn't help it. Noise scared him, dark…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-o-brien/yes-the-issue-was-courage-it-always-had-been-even-as-a-kid-things/) [Tim O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-o-brien/) > [Don't be afraid of hard work. Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Don't let others discourage you or tell you that you can't do it. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-b-elion/don-t-be-afraid-of-hard-work-nothing-worthwhile-comes-easily-don-t/) [Gertrude B. Elion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-b-elion/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) [Browse all 35,569 Fear quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I have learn'd that fearful commenting Is leaden servitor to dull delay; Delay leads impotent and snail-pac'd beggary. Then fiery expedition be my wing, Jove's Mercury, and herald for a king! Go, muster men. My counsel is my shield. We must be brief when traitors brave the field.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "William Shakespeare" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/i-have-learn-d-that-fearful-commenting-is-leaden-servitor-to-dull/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fear" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/i-have-learn-d-that-fearful-commenting-is-leaden-servitor-to-dull/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43c/william-shakespeare-4_fear_i-have-learn-d-that-fearful-commenting-i_259140.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43c/william-shakespeare-4_fear_i-have-learn-d-that-fearful-commenting-i_259140.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/43c/william-shakespeare-4_fear_i-have-learn-d-that-fearful-commenting-i_259140.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I have learn'd that fearful commenting Is leaden servitor to dull delay; Delay leads impotent and…” — William Shakespeare", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "William Shakespeare", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“I have learn'd that fearful commenting...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/i-have-learn-d-that-fearful-commenting-is-leaden-servitor-to-dull/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/i-have-learn-d-that-fearful-commenting-is-leaden-servitor-to-dull/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```