O world, world! thus is the poor agent despised. O traitors and bawds, how earnestly are you set a-work, and how ill requited! Why should our endeavor be so loved, and the performance so loathed?

Summary

In this quote, the speaker expresses their frustration with the world and how society values and rewards actions. They are lamenting the way in which good intentions and efforts are often underappreciated and even scorned compared to the deceitful and immoral actions that are actively pursued and rewarded. The speaker questions why the world cherishes the promise of positive actions, yet despises their actual realization. It highlights a sense of disillusionment with a society that seems to prioritize and reward negative behavior over virtuous efforts.