--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Why, thou knowest I am as valiant as…" description: "\"Why, thou knowest I am as valiant as Hercules, but beware instinct. The lion will not touch the true prince. Instinct is a great matter. I was a coward..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/506/william-shakespeare-4_coward_why-thou-knowest-i-am-as-valiant-as-herc_1065803.jpg" --- # Why, thou knowest I am as valiant as Hercules, but beware… ![“Why, thou knowest I am as valiant as Hercules, but beware instinct. The lion will not touch the true prince. Instinct is a great matter. I was a coward on instinct.” quote by William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/506/william-shakespeare-4_coward_why-thou-knowest-i-am-as-valiant-as-herc_1065803.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/506/william-shakespeare-4_coward_why-thou-knowest-i-am-as-valiant-as-herc_1065803.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/506/william-shakespeare-4_coward_why-thou-knowest-i-am-as-valiant-as-herc_1065803.jpg) > “Why, thou knowest I am as valiant as Hercules, but beware instinct. The lion will not touch the true prince. Instinct is a great matter. I was a coward on instinct.” [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. He warns that instinct can betray even the bravest, comparing it to a lion that avoids the true prince, suggesting caution against unexamined impulses. **In simple terms:** Instinct can mislead the brave; beware impulsive decisions. Key Takeaway Question your gut reactions. Themes courage instinct self‑awareness leadership Mood serious thoughtful cautionary Type literary philosophical advice When to use this quote - military command - personal dilemmas - political strategy Key Concepts human nature psychology heroism Questions to Reflect On - When should you trust instinct versus reason? - What are the costs of acting on instinct? A Different Perspective Instinct is not always rational and can cause cowardice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Beware Instinct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beware-instinct-2628599/) [Coward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coward/) [Coward Instinct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coward-instinct-2628598/) [Instinct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instinct/) [Instinct Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instinct-great-1415011/) [Instinct Lion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/instinct-lion-2628597/) [Lion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lion/) [Lions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lions/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [Valiant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/valiant/) ## Related quotes > [“Beware instinct--the lion will not touch the true prince. 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I was now a coward on instinct.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/instinct-is-a-great-matter-i-was-now-a-coward-on-instinct/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [I was a coward on instinct.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/i-was-a-coward-on-instinct/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [That's a valiant flea that dares eat his breakfast on the lip of a lion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/that-s-a-valiant-flea-that-dares-eat-his-breakfast-on-the-lip-of-a/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [This man, lady, hath robb'd many beasts of their particular additions: he is as valiant as a lion, churlish as the bear, slow as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/this-man-lady-hath-robb-d-many-beasts-of-their-particular-additions/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Passion for fame: A passion which is the instinct of all great souls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/passion-for-fame-a-passion-which-is-the-instinct-of-all-great-souls/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [Don't you dare underestimate the power of your own instinct. 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