more honoured in the breach than in the observance

The phrase "more honoured in the breach than in the observance" is a line from William Shakespeare's play Hamlet. It is spoken by the character Hamlet, and it means that something is considered more respected or important when it is not followed or carried out rather than when it is actually adhered to or obeyed. In other words, certain actions or rules may have social value or prestige when they are broken or neglected, rather than being strictly followed.