Love sought is good, but given unsought is better.
 William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night (1623). copy citation

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Author William Shakespeare
Source Twelfth Night
Topic love good
Date 1623
Language English
Reference
Note Written between 1601 and 1602
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1526/pg1526-images.html

Context

“Cesario, by the roses of the spring, By maidhood, honour, truth, and everything, I love thee so that, maugre all thy pride, Nor wit, nor reason, can my passion hide. Do not extort thy reasons from this clause, For, that I woo, thou therefore hast no cause: But rather reason thus with reason fetter: Love sought is good, but given unsought is better. VIOLA. By innocence I swear, and by my youth, I have one heart, one bosom, and one truth, And that no woman has; nor never none Shall mistress be of it, save I alone. And so adieu, good madam; never more Will I my master's tears to you deplore.” source