Green knitted arms wrap around a spiky yellow fruit on a dark stone slab against plum.

Original artwork, not a still

Henry VI, Part III

William Shakespeare

Let me embrace thee, sour adversity, for wise men say it is the wisest course.

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

Here the speaker greets hardship like an unwelcome guest and decides to hug it, because supposedly wise people call that the smartest approach. The tone is wry and half-resigned: if suffering can't be dodged, meeting it with open arms may be the sensible move.

Context reviewed

Share this quote