The Only Use of
scruples
in
The Merchant of Venice
- Shed thou no blood; nor cut thou less nor more, But just a pound of flesh: if thou tak'st more, Or less, than a just pound, be it but so much As makes it light or heavy in the substance, Or the division of the twentieth part Of one poor scruple; nay, if the scale do turn But in the estimation of a hair, Thou diest, and all thy goods are confiscate.†
Scene 4.1
Definition:
-
(scruples) ethical or moral principles that discourage certain kinds of action