The world's your cloister

Posted by Randy Fisher on May 05, 2007

I am in the midst of an argument/friendly discussion with a friend: people have heard of the expression "the world is your oyster", which after reading through this website's archive, I see is from Wm. Shakespeare, circa 1600. I have a recollection of another phrase, which I thought came first: "the world's your cloister", which was meant to mean, essentially, don't stay cooped up in your monastery, the whole world is your sanctuary. Does anyone else remember where that phrase came from?

• The world's your cloister Victoria S Dennis 06/May/07