“ We have power in ourselves to do it, but it is a power that we have no power to do: for if he show us his wounds and tell us his deeds, we are to put our tongues into those wounds and speak for them; so, if he tell us his noble deeds, we must also tell him our noble acceptance of them. ”
William Shakespeare, Coriolanus (1623). copy citation
| Author | William Shakespeare |
|---|---|
| Source | Coriolanus |
| Topic | acceptance power |
| Date | 1623 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Written between 1605 and 1609 |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1535/pg1535-images.html |
Context
“Come, we'll inform them Of our proceedings here: on the market-place I know they do attend us.
[Exeunt.]
SCENE III. Rome. The Forum. [Enter several citizens.]
FIRST CITIZEN. Once, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him.
SECOND CITIZEN. We may, sir, if we will.
THIRD CITIZEN. We have power in ourselves to do it, but it is a power that we have no power to do: for if he show us his wounds and tell us his deeds, we are to put our tongues into those wounds and speak for them; so, if he tell us his noble deeds, we must also tell him our noble acceptance of them. Ingratitude is monstrous: and for the multitude to be ingrateful were to make a monster of the multitude; of the which we being members, should bring ourselves to be monstrous members.
FIRST CITIZEN.” source
[Exeunt.]
SCENE III. Rome. The Forum. [Enter several citizens.]
FIRST CITIZEN. Once, if he do require our voices, we ought not to deny him.
SECOND CITIZEN. We may, sir, if we will.
THIRD CITIZEN. We have power in ourselves to do it, but it is a power that we have no power to do: for if he show us his wounds and tell us his deeds, we are to put our tongues into those wounds and speak for them; so, if he tell us his noble deeds, we must also tell him our noble acceptance of them. Ingratitude is monstrous: and for the multitude to be ingrateful were to make a monster of the multitude; of the which we being members, should bring ourselves to be monstrous members.
FIRST CITIZEN.” source
