Quote by William Shakespeare

I must be cruel only to be kind

I must be cruel only to be kind

Summary

This quote, famously spoken by the character Hamlet in Shakespeare's play, suggests that sometimes being harsh or cruel in the short term can lead to a greater good or benefit in the long term. It implies that cruelty or tough decisions may be necessary in order to help or protect someone, even if it may temporarily hurt them. The intention behind this cruelty is to ultimately bring about a positive outcome or lesson that would not have been possible otherwise.

Topics

Kindness

By William Shakespeare

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