What a piece of work is a man!
What a piece of work is a man!
How noble in reason!
How infinite in faculty!
in form, in moving, how express and admirable!
in action how like an angel!
in apprehension how like a god!
the beauty of the world!
the paragon of animals!
And yet to me, what is this quintessence of dust?
man delights not me; no, nor woman neither,
though, by your smiling, you seem to say so.
noble: having fine personal qualities
reason: ability to think and understand
infinite: without end
faculty: mental power
express: special
admirable: to be respected and approved
apprehension: understanding
paragon: perfect example
quintessence: typical example
dust: tiny particles of earth
delight: please greatly
William Shakespeare (1564-1616)