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280 Great Quotes By William Shakespeare That Will Make You Fall In Love With Life All Over Again

Famous As: English Playwright & Poet Who is Regarded as the Greatest Writer in the English Language
Born On: April 26, 1564
Died On: April 23, 1616
Born In: Stratford-upon-Avon, England
Died At Age: 51

Widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language, William Shakespeare was an English poet, playwright, and actor, also considered the world's pre-eminent dramatist. Remembered as the "Bard of Avon”, he left behind a rich literary legacy consisting of several poems, sonnets, and plays. His plays have been translated into every major living language, and have maintained their popularity over the past several centuries. His comedies, tragedies, and histories are considered some of the finest works in the English language. Even today, his plays remain highly popular and have been repeatedly adapted and rediscovered by new literary and performance movements. Loved all over the world, his works are often reinterpreted in diverse cultural and political contexts. The rich legacy this great writer left behind includes some highly meaningful quotes that are sure to make you ponder. This collection of quotes by William Shakespeare is sure to make you laugh, cry, and view life with a new perspective!

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The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.

The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.

William Shakespeare
Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.

Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.

William Shakespeare
Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind,
And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.

Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.

William Shakespeare
A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.

A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.

William Shakespeare
No legacy is so rich as honesty.

No legacy is so rich as honesty.

William Shakespeare
When a father gives to his son, both laugh; when a son gives to his father, both cry.

When a father gives to his son, both laugh; when a son gives to his father, both cry.

William Shakespeare
God has given you one face, and you make yourself another.

God has given you one face, and you make yourself another.

William Shakespeare
Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.

Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.

William Shakespeare
If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die? And if you wrong us shall we not revenge?

If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die? And if you wrong us shall we not revenge?

William Shakespeare

There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat. And we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures.

William Shakespeare
Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.

Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.

William Shakespeare
Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.

Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt.

William Shakespeare
This above all; to thine own self be true.

This above all; to thine own self be true.

William Shakespeare
It is a wise father that knows his own child.

It is a wise father that knows his own child.

William Shakespeare
I say there is no darkness but ignorance.

I say there is no darkness but ignorance.

William Shakespeare
Ignorance is the curse of God; knowledge is the wing wherewith we fly to heaven.

Ignorance is the curse of God; knowledge is the wing wherewith we fly to heaven.

William Shakespeare
Our peace shall stand as firm as rocky mountains.

Our peace shall stand as firm as rocky mountains.

William Shakespeare

This life, which had been the tomb of his virtue and of his honour, is but a walking shadow; a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

William Shakespeare
Let me embrace thee, sour adversity, for wise men say it is the wisest course.

Let me embrace thee, sour adversity, for wise men say it is the wisest course.

William Shakespeare
The empty vessel makes the loudest sound.

The empty vessel makes the loudest sound.

William Shakespeare
My crown is called content, a crown that seldom kings enjoy.

My crown is called content, a crown that seldom kings enjoy.

William Shakespeare
Let every eye negotiate for itself and trust no agent.

Let every eye negotiate for itself and trust no agent.

William Shakespeare
Pleasure and action make the hours seem short.

Pleasure and action make the hours seem short.

William Shakespeare
Like as the waves make towards the pebbl'd shore, so do our minutes, hasten to their end.

Like as the waves make towards the pebbl'd shore, so do our minutes, hasten to their end.

William Shakespeare
Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.

Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.

William Shakespeare
Life every man holds dear; but the dear man holds honor far more precious dear than life.

Life every man holds dear; but the dear man holds honor far more precious dear than life.

William Shakespeare
Suspicion always haunts the guilty mind.

Suspicion always haunts the guilty mind.

William Shakespeare
The very substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream.

The very substance of the ambitious is merely the shadow of a dream.

William Shakespeare
I must be cruel, only to be kind.

I must be cruel, only to be kind.

William Shakespeare
To be, or not to be, that is the question.

To be, or not to be, that is the question.

William Shakespeare
Nothing can come of nothing.

Nothing can come of nothing.

William Shakespeare
Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge.

Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge.

William Shakespeare
Boldness be my friend.

Boldness be my friend.

William Shakespeare
Wisely, and slow. They stumble that run fast.

Wisely, and slow. They stumble that run fast.

William Shakespeare
False face must hide what the false heart doth know.

False face must hide what the false heart doth know.

William Shakespeare
Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot that it do singe yourself.

Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot that it do singe yourself.

William Shakespeare
Talking isn't doing. It is a kind of good deed to say well; and yet words are not deeds.

Talking isn't doing. It is a kind of good deed to say well; and yet words are not deeds.

William Shakespeare
No, I will be the pattern of all patience; I will say nothing.

No, I will be the pattern of all patience; I will say nothing.

William Shakespeare
What, man, defy the devil. Consider, he's an enemy to mankind.

What, man, defy the devil. Consider, he's an enemy to mankind.

William Shakespeare
What's done can't be undone.

What's done can't be undone.

William Shakespeare
Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful.

Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful.

William Shakespeare
The robbed that smiles, steals something from the thief.

The robbed that smiles, steals something from the thief.

William Shakespeare
But if it be a sin to covet honour, I am the most offending soul alive.

But if it be a sin to covet honour, I am the most offending soul alive.

William Shakespeare
The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.

The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.

William Shakespeare
Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall.

Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall.

William Shakespeare
I wasted time, and now doth time waste me.

I wasted time, and now doth time waste me.

William Shakespeare
Sweet are the uses of adversity which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his head.

Sweet are the uses of adversity which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, wears yet a precious jewel in his head.

William Shakespeare
What is past is prologue.

What is past is prologue.

William Shakespeare
Neither a borrower nor a lender be.

Neither a borrower nor a lender be.

William Shakespeare
Death is a fearful thing.

Death is a fearful thing.

William Shakespeare
Now, God be praised, that to believing souls gives light in darkness, comfort in despair.

Now, God be praised, that to believing souls gives light in darkness, comfort in despair.

William Shakespeare
Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.

Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.

William Shakespeare
He that loves to be flattered is worthy o' the flatterer.

He that loves to be flattered is worthy o' the flatterer.

William Shakespeare
The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch, which hurts and is desired.

The stroke of death is as a lover's pinch, which hurts and is desired.

William Shakespeare
My pride fell with my fortunes.

My pride fell with my fortunes.

William Shakespeare
There is no darkness but ignorance.

There is no darkness but ignorance.

William Shakespeare
Go to you bosom: Knock there, and ask your heart what it doth know.

Go to you bosom: Knock there, and ask your heart what it doth know.

William Shakespeare
Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have Immortal longings in me.

Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have Immortal longings in me.

William Shakespeare
Lawless are they that make their wills their law.

Lawless are they that make their wills their law.

William Shakespeare
What a piece of work is a man, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and moving how express and admirable, in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god.

What a piece of work is a man, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and moving how express and admirable, in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god.

William Shakespeare
O, had I but followed the arts!

O, had I but followed the arts!

William Shakespeare
Things won are done, joy's soul lies in the doing.

Things won are done, joy's soul lies in the doing.

William Shakespeare
There's no art to find the mind's construction in the face.

There's no art to find the mind's construction in the face.

William Shakespeare
Give thy thoughts no tongue.

Give thy thoughts no tongue.

William Shakespeare
The love of heaven makes one heavenly.

The love of heaven makes one heavenly.

William Shakespeare
Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.

Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.

William Shakespeare
I never see thy face but I think upon hell-fire.

I never see thy face but I think upon hell-fire.

William Shakespeare
Fortune brings in some boats that are not steered.

Fortune brings in some boats that are not steered.

William Shakespeare
If you can look into the seeds of time, and say which grain will grow and which will not, speak then unto me.

If you can look into the seeds of time, and say which grain will grow and which will not, speak then unto me.

William Shakespeare
Desire of having is the sin of covetousness.

Desire of having is the sin of covetousness.

William Shakespeare
We are time's subjects, and time bids be gone.

We are time's subjects, and time bids be gone.

William Shakespeare
Nature hath framed strange fellows in her time.

Nature hath framed strange fellows in her time.

William Shakespeare
Time and the hour run through the roughest day.

Time and the hour run through the roughest day.

William Shakespeare
Words, words, mere words, no matter from the heart.

Words, words, mere words, no matter from the heart.

William Shakespeare
I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano; A stage where every man must play a part, And mine is a sad one.

I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano; A stage where every man must play a part, And mine is a sad one.

William Shakespeare
'Tis not enough to help the feeble up, but to support them after.

'Tis not enough to help the feeble up, but to support them after.

William Shakespeare
And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything.

And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything.

William Shakespeare
As soon go kindle fire with snow, as seek to quench the fire of love with words.

As soon go kindle fire with snow, as seek to quench the fire of love with words.

William Shakespeare
'Tis one thing to be tempted, another thing to fall.

'Tis one thing to be tempted, another thing to fall.

William Shakespeare
When words are scarce they are seldom spent in vain.

When words are scarce they are seldom spent in vain.

William Shakespeare
In a false quarrel there is no true valor.

In a false quarrel there is no true valor.

William Shakespeare
We cannot conceive of matter being formed of nothing, since things require a seed to start from... Therefore there is not anything which returns to nothing, but all things return dissolved into their elements.

We cannot conceive of matter being formed of nothing, since things require a seed to start from... Therefore there is not anything which returns to nothing, but all things return dissolved into their elements.

William Shakespeare
Love is too young to know what conscience is.

Love is too young to know what conscience is.

William Shakespeare
And oftentimes excusing of a fault doth make the fault the worse by the excuse.

And oftentimes excusing of a fault doth make the fault the worse by the excuse.

William Shakespeare
I were better to be eaten to death with a rust than to be scoured to nothing with perpetual motion.

I were better to be eaten to death with a rust than to be scoured to nothing with perpetual motion.

William Shakespeare
The wheel is come full circle.

The wheel is come full circle.

William Shakespeare
Now is the winter of our discontent.

Now is the winter of our discontent.

William Shakespeare
Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit, and lost without deserving.

Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit, and lost without deserving.

William Shakespeare
Thou know'st the first time that we smell the air we wawl and cry. When we are born we cry, that we are come to this great state of fools.

Thou know'st the first time that we smell the air we wawl and cry. When we are born we cry, that we are come to this great state of fools.

William Shakespeare
Love is not love that alters when it alteration finds.

Love is not love that alters when it alteration finds.

William Shakespeare
A peace is of the nature of a conquest; for then both parties nobly are subdued, and neither party loser.

A peace is of the nature of a conquest; for then both parties nobly are subdued, and neither party loser.

William Shakespeare
Teach not thy lip such scorn, for it was made For kissing, lady, not for such contempt.

Teach not thy lip such scorn, for it was made For kissing, lady, not for such contempt.

William Shakespeare
I like not fair terms and a villain's mind.

I like not fair terms and a villain's mind.

William Shakespeare
The undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler returns.

The undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler returns.

William Shakespeare
Things done well and with a care, exempt themselves from fear.

Things done well and with a care, exempt themselves from fear.

William Shakespeare
Come, gentlemen, I hope we shall drink down all unkindness.

Come, gentlemen, I hope we shall drink down all unkindness.

William Shakespeare
I may neither choose who I would, nor refuse who I dislike; so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father.

I may neither choose who I would, nor refuse who I dislike; so is the will of a living daughter curbed by the will of a dead father.

William Shakespeare
To do a great right do a little wrong.

To do a great right do a little wrong.

William Shakespeare
Poor and content is rich, and rich enough.

Poor and content is rich, and rich enough.

William Shakespeare
Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.

Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.

William Shakespeare
Love sought is good, but given unsought, is better.

Love sought is good, but given unsought, is better.

William Shakespeare
Modest doubt is called the beacon of the wise.

Modest doubt is called the beacon of the wise.

William Shakespeare