William Shakespeare Quotes

Welcome to a treasure trove of timeless wisdom and eloquence – the world of William Shakespeare quotes. William Shakespeare, often regarded as one of the greatest playwrights and poets in history, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature and language. His works, spanning from timeless tragedies like “Romeo and Juliet” to enchanting comedies like “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” are not just stories but profound reflections on human nature, love, ambition, and the complexities of the human experience.

In this curated collection, you will find a rich assortment of William Shakespeare’s most iconic quotes. Whether you’re seeking inspiration, looking to add a touch of sophistication to your writing, or simply appreciating the brilliance of the English language, you’ll find something here that resonates with you. Feel free to copy these quotes, adorn them with stylish fonts, or even place them on images to share and savor. Explore the wisdom and lyrical beauty of Shakespeare’s words, and let them transport you to another world. Discover the enduring relevance of his insights, and prepare to be enchanted by the magic of his prose and poetry. Now, without further ado, let the journey through William Shakespeare’s timeless quotes begin!

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

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

Most dangerous is that temptation that doth goad us on to sin in loving virtue.

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

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

The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.

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

The robbed that smiles, steals something from the thief.

But O, how bitter a thing it is to look into happiness through another man’s eyes.

I was adored once too.

We are such stuff as dreams are made on; and our little life is rounded with a sleep

We are such stuff as dreams are made on; and our little life is rounded with a sleep.

Hell is empty and all the devils are here.

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

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

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

What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

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?

Modest doubt is called the beacon of the wise.

They do not love that do not show their love.

What's done can't be undone.

What’s done can’t be undone.

Wisely, and slow. They stumble that run fast.

Love is not love that alters when it alteration finds.

Faith, there hath been many great men that have flattered the people who ne’er loved them.

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

But men are men; the best sometimes forget.

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

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

I wasted time, and now doth time waste me.

I wasted time, and now doth time waste me.

Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.

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

I dote on his very absence.

Though she be but little, she is fierce.

Men are April when they woo, December when they wed. Maids are May when they are maids, but the sky changes when they are wives.

There is no darkness but ignorance.

Brevity is the soul of wit.

I see that the fashion wears out more apparel than the man.

Time and the hour run through the roughest day.

Time and the hour run through the roughest day.

Suspicion always haunts the guilty mind.

How poor are they that have not patience! What wound did ever heal but by degrees?

Poor and content is rich, and rich enough.

Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.

Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs.

Listen to many, speak to a few.

Men shut their doors against a setting sun.

What is past is prologue.

This above all; to thine own self be true.

My pride fell with my fortunes.

My pride fell with my fortunes.

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

Life is as tedious as twice-told tale, vexing the dull ear of a drowsy man.

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.

There’s many a man has more hair than wit.

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

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

How far that little candle throws its beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world.

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

The lunatic, the lover, and the poet, are of imagination all compact.

The lunatic, the lover, and the poet, are of imagination all compact.

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

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

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

It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.

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

How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to have a thankless child!

So foul and fair a day I have not seen.

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

There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.

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

Tis better to bear the ills we have than fly to others that we know not of.

Tis better to bear the ills we have than fly to others that we know not of.

Now is the winter of our discontent.

If you have tears, prepare to shed them now.

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

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

We know what we are, but know not what we may be.

The undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler returns.

Kindness in women, not their beauteous looks, shall win my love.

When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in battalions.

I had rather have a fool to make me merry than experience to make me sad and to travel for it too!

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

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

Give thy thoughts no tongue.

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

There’s place and means for every man alive.

O! for a muse of fire, that would ascend the brightest heaven of invention.

O’ What may man within him hide, though angel on the outward side!

Such as we are made of, such we be.

Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow.

I bear a charmed life.

It is a wise father that knows his own child.

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.

When we are born we cry that we are come to this great stage of fools.

The lady doth protest too much, methinks.

Nothing can come of nothing.

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

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

Boldness be my friend.

Doubt thou the stars are fire, Doubt that the sun doth move. Doubt truth to be a liar, But never doubt I love.

Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful.

The wheel is come full circle.

No legacy is so rich as honesty.

Farewell, fair cruelty.

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

False face must hide what the false heart doth know.

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

Anton Usov
Anton Usov
I am Anton Usov, an educator with a passion for quotes that resonate with the human experience. Over many years, I have curated a collection that reflects wisdom and emotions across time. Join me in exploring the power of words to inspire and enlighten our paths.
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  1. Whitney

    As a woman, I draw strength from Shakespeare’s words: “Though she be but little, she is fierce.” I’ve faced challenges head-on, proving that size doesn’t determine strength.

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