Books
Sweet are the uses of adversity, Which like the toad, ugly and venomous, Wears yet a precious jewel in his head; And this our life, exempt from public haunt, Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in the stones, and good in every thing.
— William Shakespeare • As You Like It
Behind the line May contain spoilers.
Our reading
An editorial interpretation.
Hardship, Shakespeare suggests, can turn out sweet. Like a toad said to carry a jewel in its head, ugly circumstances may hide something precious. Out of such a life come lessons in trees, brooks and stones, and good in everything.
Context reviewed