--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: O how wretched is that poor man that…" description: "\"O how wretched is that poor man that hangs on princes favors! There is betwixt that smile we would aspire to, that sweet aspect of princes, and their r..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/906/william-shakespeare-4_aspect_o-how-wretched-is-that-poor-man-that-han_2562733.jpg" --- # O how wretched is that poor man that hangs on princes… ![“O how wretched is that poor man that hangs on princes favors! There is betwixt that smile we would aspire to, that sweet aspect of princes, and their ruin, more pangs and fears than wars or women have, and when he falls, he falls like Lucifer, never to hope again.” quote by William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/906/william-shakespeare-4_aspect_o-how-wretched-is-that-poor-man-that-han_2562733.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/906/william-shakespeare-4_aspect_o-how-wretched-is-that-poor-man-that-han_2562733.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/906/william-shakespeare-4_aspect_o-how-wretched-is-that-poor-man-that-han_2562733.jpg) > “O how wretched is that poor man that hangs on princes favors! There is betwixt that smile we would aspire to, that sweet aspect of princes, and their ruin, more pangs and fears than wars or women have, and when he falls, he falls like Lucifer, never to hope again.” [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 quote warns that relying on the favor of powerful people leads to ruin and despair when that favor is lost. **In simple terms:** Trusting the powerful can cause downfall. Key Takeaway Beware dependence on fickle power. Themes power trust downfall vanity fate Mood cautionary melancholic Type literary dramatic philosophical When to use this quote - court life - political ambition - personal relationships - career advancement Key Concepts political dependence human fragility hubris Questions to Reflect On - Can one rebuild hope after a fall? - What alternatives exist to seeking noble favor? A Different Perspective It ignores the possibility of resilience or redemption after loss. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aspect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aspect/) [Aspire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aspire/) [Fall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fall/) [Favors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/favors/) [Hangs Princes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hangs-princes-1585032/) [Like Lucifer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-lucifer-1621629/) [Lucifer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lucifer/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Poor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poor/) [Poor man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poor-man/) [Princes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/princes/) [Princes Favors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/princes-favors-1585034/) [Princes Ruin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/princes-ruin-1621628/) [Ruins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ruins/) [Sweet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sweet/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Wretched](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wretched/) ## Related quotes > [O, how wretched is that poor man that hangs on princes' favors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/o-how-wretched-is-that-poor-man-that-hangs-on-princes-favors/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“Saudis of all sorts recent having to beg princes for favors to secure services that should be a public right”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-elliott-house/saudis-of-all-sorts-recent-having-to-beg-princes-for-favors-to-secure/) [Karen Elliott House](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-elliott-house/) > [There's a lot of great stories and a lot of great values in the Holy Bible, and I actually relate to a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/there-s-a-lot-of-great-stories-and-a-lot-of-great-values-in-the-holy/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [Not because you have a pretty face, you will be loved. 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