William Shakespeare gifted the world countless memorable lines. His words explore love, loss, ambition, and justice. One such profound observation is, “Good counselors lack no clients.” This statement rings with a timeless truth about expertise and reputation. It suggests that true skill and wisdom will always be in demand. While many recognize the quote’s wisdom, its origin lies within one of Shakespeare’s more complex plays.
This powerful line comes from the play Measure for Measure. Understanding the quote requires a look into the story’s unique context. It’s a tale of morality, power, and disguise set in Vienna.
The Origin: A Scene in ‘Measure for Measure’
Measure for Measure is often called one of Shakespeare’s “problem plays.” It blends comedy with dark, serious themes. The story begins when Duke Vincentio of Vienna decides to leave the city. He pretends to go on a diplomatic mission. In his absence, he appoints the strict and puritanical Angelo as his deputy. The Duke, however, doesn’t actually leave. He disguises himself as a holy man, Friar Lodowick, to observe Angelo’s rule and his city’s moral state.
Angelo immediately enforces old, harsh laws against immorality. He sentences a young man named Claudio to death for impregnating his fiancée, Juliet, before their marriage. Claudio’s sister, Isabella, a virtuous novice nun, pleads with Angelo for her brother’s life. Angelo, overcome with lust, offers a terrible bargain: he will spare Claudio if Isabella sleeps with him. The play explores the hypocrisy and corruption that follows.
The Duke’s Timely Advice
The quote appears in Act 1, Scene 2. The disguised Duke, as Friar Lodowick, offers counsel to various characters. He speaks the line to Lucio, a flamboyant and talkative gentleman. Lucio is complaining about the state of affairs under Angelo’s rigid rule. The Duke, in his wise friar persona, offers a piece of universal wisdom. He says, “Good counselors lack no clients.” Shakespeare’s play Measure for Measure was first printed in the First Folio of 1623, though it was likely written and performed around 1604.
In its immediate context, the line is a simple observation. A skilled advisor, lawyer, or guide will always find people who need their help. The Duke is essentially telling Lucio that true competence creates its own demand. It’s a statement about the inherent value of genuine expertise in a world full of problems. The Duke himself, in his disguise, proves his own point. He becomes the central counselor to nearly every character, guiding them through the play’s moral maze.
Thematic Resonance and Modern Meaning
The quote’s power extends far beyond its scene. It resonates with the play’s central themes of justice, governance, and deception. The Duke is testing whether a ruler can effectively govern through a deputy. His role as a hidden counselor shows that true leadership often involves guidance, not just command. He is the ultimate “good counselor” working behind the scenes to achieve a just outcome. The line is deeply ironic because the Duke is proving his own maxim while in disguise.
Furthermore, the statement highlights the theme of appearance versus reality. Angelo appears to be a righteous judge but is secretly corrupt. The Duke appears to be a humble friar but is the city’s highest authority. The quote suggests that true worth, or “good counsel,” is an internal quality that will eventually be sought out, regardless of one’s outward appearance or title.
Today, the quote has been adopted by many professions. Lawyers, consultants, therapists, and financial advisors often use it. It serves as a reminder that building a reputation based on skill and integrity is the surest path to success. The message is clear: focus on becoming an expert in your field. If you provide valuable and honest guidance, people will seek you out. The need for sound advice is a constant in human society. Shakespeare captured this fundamental economic and social truth in one elegant sentence.