All the world's a stage.

Post photo: pondering woman | © Pixabay

The above statement is immediately recognized by most William Shakespeare assigned. Some even know the corresponding play "As You Like It", written by Shakespeare.

But I find his drama more interesting Henry V probably published in the same year, i.e. around 1599, from which I like to quote from the first scene of the third act:

"In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility;
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger:
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood."
William Shakespeare

These statements are a bit older, but still valid. You might think we've figured it out by now. At least …

"All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,..."
William Shakespeare

... works quite well for most people. Only when it comes to 'humility' do we all have to practice a little more. And it's probably best to leave out the 'Tiger' altogether, because, although we don't lack paper tigers, they just don't even manage to do anything sensible in times of peace.