“…the sweetest flower of all the field.” (Romeo and Juliet, act 4, sc. 5)
Tips for Use. It was Mark Twain who claimed he could live for two months on a good compliment. If it’s two months for a man, make it at least double for a lady. Today’s blog quote makes a good line and a good compliment, directly or written on a card. To receive an (almost) daily Continue reading
“… And my more having would be as a sauce
To make me hunger more: that I should forge
Quarrels unjust against the good and loyal,
Destroying them for wealth.” (Macbeth act 4, sc. 3)
Tips for Use. A suitable example and a warning about greed, given that greed feeds on itself. The first part of the quote, “and my more having would be as a sauce to make me hunger more” applies across the board with specific reference to the 1%. The self compounding hunger for more, points to those whom Gatewood Galbraith defined as the “”Petrochemical-Pharmaceutical-Military-Industrial-Transnational-Corporate-Fascist-Elite-Sons of Bitches“. Gatewood Galbraith was a candidate for governor in Kentucky. Continue reading
“A plague o’ both your houses!
They have made worms’ meat of me.” (Romeo and Juliet act 3, sc. 1)
Tips for Use. Apply to Democrats and Republicans, or to the Congress or the Senate, if you are unhappy with the current two party system. That there is no difference between “both your houses” and, by extension, between the two parties is well captured by Pat Buchanan’s definition, “two wings of the same bird of prey”. But things have even progressed further since the utterance of Buchanan’s quote. Continue reading
“Not from the stars do I my judgment pluck,
And yet methinks I have astronomy,
But from thine eyes my knowledge I derive.” (SON.14)
Tips for Use. Education from the eyes of a lover. It’s going a bit overboard but it makes for a flattering compliment, especially if you met the object of your flattery (and attention) only minutes or a short time before. For example she may ask, “Where did you go to school?” and it would be a good answer.
For the record, in Shakespeare’s times, astronomy… Continue reading
“Being thy slave what should I do but tend
Upon the hours and times of your desire?
I have no precious time at all to spend,
Nor services to do till you require.” (SON.57)
Tips for Use. Answer to, ‘Will you do this for me?’ And/or a follow up after you already said yes to her request. The first two lines already convey the idea perfectly, but quote all four lines to make an absolutely lasting impression. The lines may equally applied with an ironic flavor to any person (boss?) who is overwhelming you with requests. Continue reading
“Thus conscience doth make cowards of us all;
And thus the native hue of resolution
Is sicklied o’er with the pale cast of thought.
And enterprises of great pith and moment
With this regard their currents turn awry,
And lose the name of action” (Hamlet act 3, sc. 1)
Tips for Use. This is the end of Hamlet’s famous monolog and the lines, both in their entirety or parsed out, lend themselves to a number of applications – as well as to more general considerations. Let’s keep in mind that here “conscience” can both be interpreted as the ‘conscience’ (what prevents some from doing evil), and ‘consciousness’ as awareness of our limitations.
In a corporate setting use the first three lines when someone opposes your plan of action with flimsy arguments, based on fear, that do not hold water.
If ‘conscience’ is called into question you can still apply the lines if it is uncertain whether the objections are a cover and have nothing to do with conscience.
The theme of this most famous monolog of all… (“To be or not to be”). Continue reading
“Love all, trust a few,
Do wrong to none…” (All’s Well That Ends Well act 1, sc. 1)
Tips for Use. It could well be your general life philosophy. But it can be an excellent opening statement as an answer to interview questions of the type, “Tell me something about yourself” or “What are your views on life?”. ” I love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.” In general an answer to any questions aimed at starting a conversation more than at the relevance of the answer. However, by answering with this quote, you may surprise the interviewer as he/she probably expects the usual (and often lengthy) semi-biographical declaration of this and that… Continue reading
“Thy lips rot off” (Timon of Athens act 4, sc. 3)
Tips for Use. Excellent way out when you cannot immediately come up with a retort to a witticism or accusing remark of which you are the subject. Equally usable during a presentation when you are fielding a nasty comment by an obnoxious party in the audience. You will probably get a laugh and defuse the situation. Particularly useful in the Senate or Congress, political debate, corporate meeting…. Continue reading
“O Goneril!
You are not worth the dust which the rude wind
Blows in your face.” (King Lear act 4, sc. 2)
Tips for Use. Superb and elegant insult that can be delivered directly to your despicable opponent or included in a political speech. Just change “Goneril” and substitute with the applicable name. Given, for example, the unspeakable crimes committed by sundry characters under the shield of “democracy”, you will find the lines of frequent, suitable and appropriate application. Equally applicable when you are so disgusted with a person that you wish to cut off all communications… Continue reading
“…Upon what meat doth this our Caesar feed,
That he is grown so great?” (Julius Caesar, act 1, sc. 2)
Tips for Use. Illustrate the dangers of misplaced and irrational media appeal and charisma. Question the power, the dubious qualifications, the devious means, the corruption or all the above, by means of which a detestable or stupid individual has achieved a position of power.
Change “Caesar” with the applicable name of a person, a lobbying firm, a corporation or any political structure. For example, “Upon what meat do these Wall Street leeches feed, that they are grown so great?” Continue reading