--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Man, proud man, dressed in a little brief…" description: "\"Man, proud man, dressed in a little brief authority, like an angry ape, play such fantastic tricks before high heaven as make the angels weep\" — Willia..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de2/william-shakespeare-4_anger_man-proud-man-dressed-in-a-little-brief_1962205.jpg" --- # Man, proud man, dressed in a little brief authority, like… ![“Man, proud man, dressed in a little brief authority, like an angry ape, play such fantastic tricks before high heaven as make the angels weep” quote by William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de2/william-shakespeare-4_anger_man-proud-man-dressed-in-a-little-brief_1962205.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de2/william-shakespeare-4_anger_man-proud-man-dressed-in-a-little-brief_1962205.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de2/william-shakespeare-4_anger_man-proud-man-dressed-in-a-little-brief_1962205.jpg) > “Man, proud man, dressed in a little brief authority, like an angry ape, play such fantastic tricks before high heaven as make the angels weep” [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. A proud man, despite his small authority, behaves like a furious animal, creating absurd acts that even celestial beings find sorrowful. **In simple terms:** Pride leads to foolish, painful displays. Key Takeaway Beware pride’s folly. Themes pride hubris absurdity Mood cynical reflective Type dramatic literary When to use this quote - political power - personal relationships - public spectacle Key Concepts human nature ego social hierarchy Questions to Reflect On - What drives people to act absurdly when feeling powerless? - How does pride affect judgment? A Different Perspective Pride can be a defense against insecurity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anger/) [Proud man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proud-man/) ## Related quotes > [Man, proud man, drest in a little brief authority, most ignorant of what he's most assur d, glassy essence, like an angry ape, plays…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/man-proud-man-drest-in-a-little-brief-authority-most-ignorant-of-what-2/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“But man, proud man, Dress'd in a little brief authority, Most ignorant of what he's most assur'd— His glassy essence—like an angry ape Plays…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/but-man-proud-man-dress-d-in-a-little-brief-authority-most-ignorant/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Merciful heaven, Thou rather with thy sharp and sulphurous bolt Splits the unwedgeable and gnarled oak Than the soft myrtle; but man, proud man,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/merciful-heaven-thou-rather-with-thy-sharp-and-sulphurous-bolt-splits/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [I do not hate a proud man, as I do hate the engendering of toads.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/i-do-not-hate-a-proud-man-as-i-do-hate-the-engendering-of-toads/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Man, proud man, Drest in a little brief authority, Most ignorant of what he's most assured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/man-proud-man-drest-in-a-little-brief-authority-most-ignorant-of-what/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [It may do good; pride hath no other glass To show itself but pride, for supple knees Feed arrogance and are the proud man's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/it-may-do-good-pride-hath-no-other-glass-to-show-itself-but-pride-for/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“..forever daydreaming of a kiss so sweet, angels weep..”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenise-lee/forever-daydreaming-of-a-kiss-so-sweet-angels-weep/) Lenise Lee > [All that you think is rain is not. 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