“ Allow not nature more than nature needs, Man's life is cheap as beast's. ”
William Shakespeare, King Lear (1623). copy citation
| Author | William Shakespeare |
|---|---|
| Source | King Lear |
| Topic | life beast |
| Date | 1623 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Written between 1603 and 1606 |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1128/pg1128-images.html |
Context
“What need you five-and-twenty, ten, or five, To follow in a house where twice so many Have a command to tend you? Reg. What need one? Lear. O, reason not the need! Our basest beggars Are in the poorest thing superfluous. Allow not nature more than nature needs, Man's life is cheap as beast's. Thou art a lady: If only to go warm were gorgeous, Why, nature needs not what thou gorgeous wear'st Which scarcely keeps thee warm. But, for true need- You heavens, give me that patience, patience I need!”
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