Sunday, January 01, 2006

Shakespeare on Hanukkah

My analogy the other day of enduring spirit as Hanukkah lights called to mind this beautiful quote from the opening scene in Shakespeare's Measure for Measure:
Heaven doth with us as we with torches do,
Not light them for themselves; for if our virtues
Did not go forth of us, ’twere all alike
As if we had them not. Spirits are not finely touch’d
But to fine issues, nor Nature never lends
The smallest scruple of her excellence,
But, like a thrifty goddess, she determines
Herself the glory of a creditor,
Both thanks and use.

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