---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What a piece of work is a man! How noble…"
description: "\"What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty, in form and moving how express and admirable, in action how like an angel,..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b2/william-shakespeare-4_action_what-a-piece-of-work-is-a-man-how-noble_2520902.jpg"
---

#  What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason, how…

![“What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty, in form and moving how express and admirable, in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god -- the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals!” quote by William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b2/william-shakespeare-4_action_what-a-piece-of-work-is-a-man-how-noble_2520902.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b2/william-shakespeare-4_action_what-a-piece-of-work-is-a-man-how-noble_2520902.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b2/william-shakespeare-4_action_what-a-piece-of-work-is-a-man-how-noble_2520902.jpg)

> “What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty, in form and moving how express and admirable, in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god -- the beauty of the world, the paragon of animals!”

[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.

Human nature is complex, capable of greatness and flaw, reflecting both divine and animal traits.

**In simple terms:** Humans are both noble and flawed.

Key Takeaway

Recognize inner contradictions.

Themes

human nature philosophy duality

Mood

thoughtful melancholic

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

- self‑reflection
- leadership
- ethical dilemmas
- art criticism

Key Concepts

existentialism literary analysis

Questions to Reflect On

- What aspects of humanity inspire you?
- How do you reconcile noble and base impulses?

A Different Perspective

Idealizing humanity can ignore suffering.

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[Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Animals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/animals/) [Beauty of the world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beauty-of-the-world/)

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