---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That but this blow Might be the be-all…"
description: "\"That but this blow Might be the be-all and the end-all here, But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, We'ld jump the life to come.\" — William Shakes..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b15/william-shakespeare-4_blow_that-but-this-blow-might-be-the-be-all-a_2055144.jpg"
---

#  That but this blow Might be the be-all and the end-all…

![“That but this blow Might be the be-all and the end-all here, But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, We'ld jump the life to come.” quote by William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b15/william-shakespeare-4_blow_that-but-this-blow-might-be-the-be-all-a_2055144.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b15/william-shakespeare-4_blow_that-but-this-blow-might-be-the-be-all-a_2055144.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b15/william-shakespeare-4_blow_that-but-this-blow-might-be-the-be-all-a_2055144.jpg)

> “That but this blow Might be the be-all and the end-all here, But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, We'ld jump the life to come.”

[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 speaker reflects on the inevitability of fate, suggesting that all actions lead to a predetermined end.

**In simple terms:** Life’s events seem pre‑ordained and unavoidable.

Key Takeaway

Accept the flow of destiny.

Themes

fate philosophy inevitability human condition

Mood

reflective melancholic

Type

philosophical literary

When to use this quote

- personal crises
- career decisions
- relationship endings
- historical analysis

Key Concepts

determinism existentialism temporal metaphor

Questions to Reflect On

- Do you believe fate controls outcomes?
- How can we act responsibly within perceived destiny?

A Different Perspective

It may discount personal agency and effort.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Beginning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beginning/) [Important macbeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important-macbeth/) [Lady macbeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lady-macbeth/) [Lds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lds/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Macbeth key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/macbeth-key/) [Macbeth play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/macbeth-play/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/)

## Related quotes

> [Or art thou but / A dagger of the mind, a false creation, / Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/or-art-thou-but-a-dagger-of-the-mind-a-false-creation-proceeding-from/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [The instruments of darkness tell us truths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/the-instruments-of-darkness-tell-us-truths/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [Yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full o' the milk of human kindness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/yet-do-i-fear-thy-nature-it-is-too-full-o-the-milk-of-human-kindness-2/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [Bloody instructions, which, being taught, return to plague the inventor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/bloody-instructions-which-being-taught-return-to-plague-the-inventor/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [I am in blood Stepp'd in so far, that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o'er.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/i-am-in-blood-stepp-d-in-so-far-that-should-i-wade-no-more-returning/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [If chance will have me king, why, chance may crown me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/if-chance-will-have-me-king-why-chance-may-crown-me/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/out-out-brief-candle-life-s-but-a-walking-shadow/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [Out, damned spot! out, I say! One: two: why, then 'tis time to do't. Hell is murky!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/out-damned-spot-out-i-say-one-two-why-then-tis-time-to-do-t-hell-is-2/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,Creeps in this petty pace from day to day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/tomorrow-and-tomorrow-and-tomorrow-creeps-in-this-petty-pace-from-day/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [If it were done when 'tis done, then 'twere well. It were done quickly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/if-it-were-done-when-tis-done-then-twere-well-it-were-done-quickly/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [We fail! But screw your courage to the sticking-place, And we'll not fail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/we-fail-but-screw-your-courage-to-the-sticking-place-and-we-ll-not/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [Out, damned spot! out, I say!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/out-damned-spot-out-i-say/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/is-this-a-dagger-which-i-see-before-me-the-handle-toward-my-hand-come-2/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/is-this-a-dagger-which-i-see-before-me-the-handle-toward-my-hand/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury; signifying nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/it-is-a-tale-told-by-an-idiot-full-of-sound-and-fury-signifying/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

## 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 Beginning quotes

> [At the very beginning, I was a page at Letterman, and I freelanced for any place that would let me write any word. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-schwartz/at-the-very-beginning-i-was-a-page-at-letterman-and-i-freelanced-for/)

[Ben Schwartz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-schwartz/)

> [People pay far too much attention to the television and they're quite literal in some ways. At the beginning, when I was playing very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ardal-o-hanlon/people-pay-far-too-much-attention-to-the-television-and-they-re-quite/)

[Ardal O'Hanlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ardal-o-hanlon/)

> [Every Finish Line is the beginning of a new race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-finish-line-is-the-beginning-of-a-new-race/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Always keep the smile, because the smile is the beginning of love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-imad/always-keep-the-smile-because-the-smile-is-the-beginning-of-love/)

Adam Imad

> [We are beginning to see intimations of this in the implantation of computer devices into the human body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-kurzweil/we-are-beginning-to-see-intimations-of-this-in-the-implantation-of/)

[Ray Kurzweil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-kurzweil/)

> [The only vocal training I had was playing with a tape recorder as a kid, and you know, doing the beginning of the 'Lone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-buffer/the-only-vocal-training-i-had-was-playing-with-a-tape-recorder-as-a/)

[Michael Buffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-buffer/)

> [January is the beginning of a new year for us in the Western world. Let us give to God what belongs to him: the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-white/january-is-the-beginning-of-a-new-year-for-us-in-the-western-world/)

[Paula White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-white/)

> [In the beginning, if you look at those early label albums of the Chicks, we didn't write all that much. We had an A&R…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martie-maguire/in-the-beginning-if-you-look-at-those-early-label-albums-of-the/)

[Martie Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martie-maguire/)

> [You need more than a beginning if you're going to start a book. If all you have is a beginning, then once you've written…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/you-need-more-than-a-beginning-if-you-re-going-to-start-a-book-if-all/)

[Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/)

> [When there is a mission before you, you see it from its beginning to its conclusion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-white/when-there-is-a-mission-before-you-you-see-it-from-its-beginning-to/)

[Jesse White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-white/)

> [When God made the world, all things began with him. Life, death, it all began when he said so. That includes you and me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manae-poet-of-carisis/when-god-made-the-world-all-things-began-with-him-life-death-it-all/)

Manae Poet Of Carisis

> [From the beginning at Intel, we planned on being big.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-noyce/from-the-beginning-at-intel-we-planned-on-being-big/)

[Robert Noyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-noyce/)

> [In the very beginning, Yelp started as a service where we really didn't think people would write reviews for fun. The whole concept of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-stoppelman/in-the-very-beginning-yelp-started-as-a-service-where-we-really-didn/)

[Jeremy Stoppelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-stoppelman/)

> [Some projects feel like the stars are aligning for them from the very beginning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-smith/some-projects-feel-like-the-stars-are-aligning-for-them-from-the-very/)

[Gregory Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-smith/)

> [Do not judge me by my beginning, Only by my end, Nor by the path I took, But where it led me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacklyn-h-lucas/do-not-judge-me-by-my-beginning-only-by-my-end-nor-by-the-path-i-took/)

Jacklyn H Lucas

[Browse all 3,566 Beginning quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beginning/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "That but this blow Might be the be-all and the end-all here, But here, upon this bank and shoal of time, We'ld jump the life to come.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "William Shakespeare"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/that-but-this-blow-might-be-the-be-all-and-the-end-all-here-but-here/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Beginning"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/that-but-this-blow-might-be-the-be-all-and-the-end-all-here-but-here/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b15/william-shakespeare-4_blow_that-but-this-blow-might-be-the-be-all-a_2055144.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b15/william-shakespeare-4_blow_that-but-this-blow-might-be-the-be-all-a_2055144.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b15/william-shakespeare-4_blow_that-but-this-blow-might-be-the-be-all-a_2055144.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“That but this blow Might be the be-all and the end-all here, But here, upon this bank and shoal of time…” — 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": "That but this blow Might be...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/that-but-this-blow-might-be-the-be-all-and-the-end-all-here-but-here/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/that-but-this-blow-might-be-the-be-all-and-the-end-all-here-but-here/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```