“Use every man after his desert, and who should scape whipping?”
- 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
“Use every man after his desert, and who should scape whipping?”
Explanation
This quote from Shakespeare’s The Tempest explores the idea of justice and punishment. “Use every man after his desert” means that people should be treated according to what they deserve based on their actions or character. However, “who should scape whipping?” suggests that if everyone were to be punished according to their deeds, almost everyone would deserve some form of punishment, symbolized by a whipping. The speaker implies that no one is free from fault, and if strict justice were applied to all, many would face consequences for their actions, however minor or major the misdeeds may be.
In modern contexts, this quote reflects the idea that no one is perfect and that if we were all judged or punished for every mistake or shortcoming, very few people would escape consequences. This could relate to societal systems of justice, where punishment is sometimes seen as too harsh or pervasive, or where human fallibility makes it difficult to uphold perfect justice. For example, in legal systems, the application of the law can be seen as unfair if everyone is not given equal treatment or understanding of their circumstances.
Ultimately, this quote speaks to the imperfection of human nature and the difficulty of applying perfect justice. It highlights the complexity of moral judgment, suggesting that forgiving or understanding human flaws is often more practical than strictly adhering to the idea of punishment for every fault. It encourages reflection on the balance between justice and mercy, and the recognition that everyone has their shortcomings.
