John Fletcher Quotes

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Love's not love which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove: O no! It is above all change, constancy itself."

This quote emphasizes that true love remains unchanged in the face of challenges or circumstances. The alteration referred to suggests situations where love may be tested, such as when partners face difficulties or temptations, but a constant, genuine love will not falter or change its nature. Instead, it maintains its steadfastness and constancy above all else.

"All actions which are at variance one with another cannot spring from one and the selfsame principle."

This quote by John Fletcher suggests that inconsistent actions stem from different underlying principles or motivations. In other words, if a person's actions contradict each other, it indicates that those actions are driven by multiple, potentially conflicting, forces rather than one unifying principle or goal. This idea can be applied to understand the behaviors of individuals as well as groups, emphasizing the importance of identifying and understanding motivations when analyzing actions or decisions.

"The greatest merit of a play lies in this, that it be not noticed."

This quote by John Fletcher suggests that the highest quality of a play or any form of art lies in its ability to seamlessly immerse its audience, such that the artistry behind it becomes invisible, allowing the story, characters, and emotions to take center stage. In other words, a truly great work should feel so natural, authentic, and engaging that the audience forgets they are watching or reading a piece of art – they become fully immersed in the story, losing track of time and space, and feeling as if they are part of the narrative itself.

"Thus we live by truths we dare not speak, And die by follies we dare not brook."

This quote suggests that individuals often suppress or neglect truths they find difficult to express, choosing instead to live with unspoken truths. Conversely, they may also be bound by actions or beliefs they deem foolish but dare not relinquish. The speaker posits a paradoxical predicament where these choices ultimately lead to a living existence tainted by unfulfilled potential (dying by the follies we dare not brook) and an incomplete understanding of oneself and the world (living by truths we dare not speak). In essence, the quote emphasizes the importance of courage in confronting truth and change.

"The world's but a broken piece of glass; Whose brightness may be seen, When 'tis in the sun, But when the sun shines not on't, 'Tis as broken as can be."

This quote by John Fletcher suggests that life (the world) is fragile and unpredictable, much like a piece of broken glass. When we are surrounded by positivity, support, or opportunities (symbolized by the sun), our lives seem bright and whole. However, in times when such positive influences are absent (when the sun does not shine on it), life can feel shattered and fragmented. It's a reminder that despite the challenges we face, we should strive to find the light, or source of positivity, in our lives to make it whole again.