William Shakespeare Quotes

1564–1616 England

William Shakespeare (26 April 1564 (baptised) – 23 April 1616) was an English poet, playwright, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist.

England
Actors
Playwrights
Poets

Also known as: Shakespeare, Shakespeare, William, Shakespearean, Shakspeare

Random William Shakespeare quote

2,353 quotes

A man whom both the waters and the wind,
In that vast tennis-court, hath made the ball
For them to play upon.

For by these
Shall I try friends: you shall perceive how you
Mistake my fortunes; I am wealthy in my friends.

For my part, if a lie may do thee grace,
I'll gild it with the happiest terms I have.

Let fancy still my sense in Lethe steep;
If it be thus to dream, still let me sleep!

There is some ill a-brewing towards my rest,
For I did dream of money-bags to-night.

I thought the remnant of mine age
Should have been cherish'd by her child-like duty.

You may my glories and my state depose,
But not my griefs; still am I king of those.

Richard II (1595)

I had rather crack my sinews, break my back,
Than you should such dishonour undergo.

If I can catch him once upon the hip,
I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.

Against self-slaughter
There is a prohibition so divine
That cravens my weak hand.

Cymbeline (1611)

Shine out, fair sun, till I have bought a glass,
That I may see my shadow as I pass.

A little gale will soon disperse that cloud
… for every cloud engenders not a storm.

You a captain? You slave, for what? For tearing a poor whore’s ruff in a bawdy-house?

Unnatural deeds
Do breed unnatural troubles: infected minds
To their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets.

Macbeth (1605)

I will be gone:
That pitiful rumour may report my flight,
To consolate thine ear.

O father Abram, what these Christians are,
Whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect
The thoughts of others.

Sleep, that sometimes shuts up sorrow's eye,
Steal me awhile from mine own company.

You ever-gentle gods, take my breath from me;
Let not my worser spirit tempt me again
To die before you please!

King Lear (1608)

And makes us rather bear those ills we have
Than fly to others that we know not of?

I am possess’d with an adulterate blot;
My blood is mingled with the crime of lust.

Attribution

Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: William Shakespeare (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.