“ The most peaceable way for you, if you do take a thief, is to let him show himself what he is, and steal out of your company. ”
William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing (1600). copy citation
| Author | William Shakespeare |
|---|---|
| Source | Much Ado About Nothing |
| Topic | unmask thief rebuff |
| Date | 1600 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Written between 1598 and 1599 |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/2240/pg2240-images.html |
Context
“If you meet a theefe, you may suspect him, by vertue of your office, to be no true man: and for such kinde of men, the lesse you meddle or make with them, why the more is for your honesty
watch. If wee know him to be a thiefe, shall wee not lay hands on him
Dogb. Truly by your office you may, but I think they that touch pitch will be defil'd: the most peaceable way for you, if you doe take a theefe, is, to let him shew himselfe what he is, and steale out of your company
Ver. You haue bin alwaies cal'd a merciful ma[n] partner
dog. Truely I would not hang a dog by my will, much
more a man who hath anie honestie in him Verges. If you heare a child crie in the night you must” source
watch. If wee know him to be a thiefe, shall wee not lay hands on him
Dogb. Truly by your office you may, but I think they that touch pitch will be defil'd: the most peaceable way for you, if you doe take a theefe, is, to let him shew himselfe what he is, and steale out of your company
Ver. You haue bin alwaies cal'd a merciful ma[n] partner
dog. Truely I would not hang a dog by my will, much
more a man who hath anie honestie in him Verges. If you heare a child crie in the night you must” source
Meaning and analysis
