--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: This is in thee a nature but infected; A…" description: "\"“This is in thee a nature but infected; A poor unmanly melancholy sprung From change of fortune. Why this spade? this place? This slave-like habit? and..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bb/william-shakespeare-4_change_this-is-in-thee-a-nature-but-infected-a_304616.jpg" --- # This is in thee a nature but infected; A poor unmanly… ![“This is in thee a nature but infected; A poor unmanly melancholy sprung From change of fortune. Why this spade? this place? This slave-like habit? and these looks of care? Thy flatterers yet wear silk, drink wine, lie soft; Hug their diseased perfumes, and have forgot That ever Timon was. Shame…” quote by William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bb/william-shakespeare-4_change_this-is-in-thee-a-nature-but-infected-a_304616.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bb/william-shakespeare-4_change_this-is-in-thee-a-nature-but-infected-a_304616.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2bb/william-shakespeare-4_change_this-is-in-thee-a-nature-but-infected-a_304616.jpg) > ““This is in thee a nature but infected; A poor unmanly melancholy sprung From change of fortune. Why this spade? this place? This slave-like habit? and these looks of care? Thy flatterers yet wear silk, drink wine, lie soft; Hug their diseased perfumes, and have forgot That ever Timon was. Shame not these woods, By putting on the cunning of a carper. Be thou a flatterer now, and seek to thrive By that which has undone thee: hinge thy knee, And let his very breath, whom thou'lt observe, Blow off thy cap; praise his most vicious strain, And call it excellent: thou wast told thus; Thou gavest thine ears like tapsters that bid welcome To knaves and all approachers: 'tis most just That thou turn rascal; hadst thou wealth again, Rascals should have 't. Do not assume my likeness.”” [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 character accuses another of hypocrisy, urging them to abandon false pretenses and embrace honesty. **In simple terms:** Call out hypocrisy and be sincere. Key Takeaway Reject pretentiousness, act truthfully. Themes honesty hypocrisy integrity politics self-awareness Mood defiant critical serious Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - political debate - personal relationships - leadership decisions - public speaking - conflict resolution Key Concepts moral philosophy political critique human nature Questions to Reflect On - How can you confront hypocrisy without creating hostility? - What honest actions can replace false flattery? A Different Perspective The speaker’s harsh tone may alienate the audience, reducing impact. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) ## Related quotes > [The cunning livery of hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/the-cunning-livery-of-hell/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [The language I have learnt these forty years, My native English, now I must forgo; And now my tongue's use is to me no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/the-language-i-have-learnt-these-forty-years-my-native-english-now-i/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Tis beauty truly blent, whose red and white Nature's own sweet and cunning hand laid on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/tis-beauty-truly-blent-whose-red-and-white-nature-s-own-sweet-and/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Treason and murder ever kept together, As two yoke-devils sworn to either's purpose, Working so grossly in a natural cause That admiration did not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/treason-and-murder-ever-kept-together-as-two-yoke-devils-sworn-to/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“When a man possesses the innocence of a child, we call him a fool. 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Why this spade? this place? This slave-like habit? and these looks of care? Thy flatterers yet wear silk, drink wine, lie soft; Hug their diseased perfumes, and have forgot That ever Timon was. Shame not these woods, By putting on the cunning of a carper. Be thou a flatterer now, and seek to thrive By that which has undone thee: hinge thy knee, And let his very breath, whom thou'lt observe, Blow off thy cap; praise his most vicious strain, And call it excellent: thou wast told thus; Thou gavest thine ears like tapsters that bid welcome To knaves and all approachers: 'tis most just That thou turn rascal; hadst thou wealth again, Rascals should have 't. 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