Words, words, mere words, no matter from the heart; Th' effect doth operate another way.
William Shakespeare on Writing
1564–1616 England
← All quotes by William Shakespeare
22 quotes
These words are razors to my wounded heart.
But words are words; I never yet did hear
That the bruis'd heart was pierced through the ear.
Othello (1603)
My words fly up, my thoughts remain below:
Words without thoughts never to heaven go.
His very words are a fantastical banquet, just so many strange dishes.
Words are grown so false, I am loath to prove reason with them.
A fine volley of words, gentlemen, and quickly shot off.
Familiar in his mouth as household words.
Henry V (1599)
I know thou'rt full of love and honesty,
And weigh'st thy words before thou givest them breath.
Othello (1603)
Unpack my heart with words
And fall a-cursing, like a very drab.
'Tis well said again;
And 'tis a kind of good deed to say well:
And yet words are no deeds.
Henry VIII (1613)
Richard II (1595)
Madam, you have bereft me of all words,
Only my blood speaks to you in my veins.
What do you read, my lord?
Words, words, words.
Zounds! I was never so bethump'd with words
Since I first call'd my brother's father dad.
King John (1598)
Taffeta phrases, silken terms precise,
Three-piled hyperboles, spruce affectation,
Figures pedantical.
Words pay no debts, give her deeds.
Troilus and Cressida (1602)
So all my best is dressing old words new.
Julius Cæsar (1599)
Cymbeline (1611)
Attribution
Quotes and notes from Wikiquote: William Shakespeare (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.