“ There is no slander in an allowed fool, though he do nothing but rail; nor no railing in known discreet man, though he do nothing but reprove. ”
William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night (1623). copy citation
| Author | William Shakespeare |
|---|---|
| Source | Twelfth Night |
| Topic | slander |
| Date | 1623 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Written between 1601 and 1602 |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1526/pg1526-images.html |
Context
“O, you are sick of self-love, Malvolio, and taste with a distempered appetite. To be generous, guiltless, and of free disposition, is to take those things for bird-bolts that you deem cannon bullets. There is no slander in an allowed fool, though he do nothing but rail; nor no railing in known discreet man, though he do nothing but reprove.
CLOWN. Now Mercury endue thee with leasing, for thou speakest well of fools!
[Re-enter MARIA.]
MARIA. Madam, there is at the gate a young gentleman much desires to speak with you.
OLIVIA. From the Count Orsino, is it?”
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