“ To be honest, as this world goes, is to be one man picked out of ten thousand. ”
William Shakespeare, Hamlet (1623). copy citation
| Author | William Shakespeare |
|---|---|
| Source | Hamlet |
| Topic | honesty depravation world |
| Date | 1623 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Written between 1599 and 1602 |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1524/1524-h/1524-h.htm |
Context
“Excellent well. You're a fishmonger.
Polonius. Not I, my lord. HAMLET. Then I would you were so honest a man. Polonius. Honest, my lord? HAMLET. Ay sir, to be honest, as this world goes, is to be one man picked out of ten thousand. Polonius. That's very true, my lord. HAMLET. For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being a good kissing carrion,— Have you a daughter? Polonius. I have, my lord. HAMLET. Let her not walk i' th' sun.” source
Polonius. Not I, my lord. HAMLET. Then I would you were so honest a man. Polonius. Honest, my lord? HAMLET. Ay sir, to be honest, as this world goes, is to be one man picked out of ten thousand. Polonius. That's very true, my lord. HAMLET. For if the sun breed maggots in a dead dog, being a good kissing carrion,— Have you a daughter? Polonius. I have, my lord. HAMLET. Let her not walk i' th' sun.” source
Meaning and analysis
