be cruel to be kind

动词 v.
中文释义

英文释义

动词 v.
  1. To act cruelly in order to achieve a positive outcome in the future. idiomatic
    — I muſt be cruell only to be kinde, / This bad beginnes, and worſe remaines behind.

词形变化

is cruel to be kind present,singular,third-person being cruel to be kind participle,present was cruel to be kind past been cruel to be kind participle,past

词源

From William Shakespeare's Hamlet, Act 3, Scene 4: "I must be cruel, only to be kind: / Thus bad begins and worse remains behind."
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