What win I, if I gain the thing I seek?A dream, a breath, a froth of fleeting joy.Who buys a minute's mirth to wail a week?Or sells eternity to get a toy?For one sweet grape who will the vine destroy?Or what fond beggar, but to touch the crown,Would with the sceptre straight be strucken down?
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The quote reflects on the ephemeral nature of desire and the consequences of obsession. It raises the question of what value one may find in achieving a goal if it only yields temporary satisfaction. Shakespeare suggests that the fleeting joy of a dream or a momentary pleasure cannot justify the sacrifices made or the pain endured in pursuit of such aspirations.
Furthermore, the passage highlights the foolishness of trading long-lasting joys for trivial gains. It illustrates the absurdity of risking something significant, like one's dignity or peace, just to obtain a momentary pleasure. Ultimately, Shakespeare emphasizes the idea that true wisdom lies in recognizing the worth of what one already possesses rather than chasing after fleeting desires.
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