“‘Tis not enough to help the feeble up, but to support them after.”
- April 26, 1564 – April 23, 1616
- Born in England
- Playwright, poet, actor
- Wrote many masterpieces such as “Hamlet,” “Romeo and Juliet,” and “Macbeth,” and had a great influence on English literature
Quote
“‘Tis not enough to help the feeble up, but to support them after.”
Explanation
This quote from Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice emphasizes the importance of not just offering temporary assistance, but providing sustained support over time. “Help the feeble up” refers to offering help to someone who is in need or struggling, while “to support them after” underscores that real aid involves standing by them as they recover or struggle to maintain stability, rather than just offering one-time aid. The quote highlights that true compassion goes beyond the initial act of kindness and requires ongoing effort to ensure that the person in need is truly uplifted.
In modern contexts, this quote speaks to the idea that helping others is not about providing temporary fixes, but about offering long-term care, emotional support, or resources to help them sustain themselves. For example, in helping someone who has experienced hardship, it’s not enough to simply offer financial assistance; true support comes from being there for them emotionally and offering guidance or resources to help them build a more stable future.
Ultimately, this quote underscores the value of lasting support and commitment in acts of kindness. It encourages us to think about how we can continue to help others in ways that foster independence, self-sufficiency, and long-term well-being, rather than simply offering short-term aid.
