Quotes by William Shakespeare

About William Shakespeare:

William Shakespeare is often called England's national poet, and the "Bard of Avon". His extant works, including collaborations, consist of approximately 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and a few other verses, some of uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

What we are is not all that we may become.

William Shakespeare

When devils will the blackest sins put on They do suggest at first with heavenly shows

William Shakespeare

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

William Shakespeare

There's a tide in the affairs of men, which taken at the flood, leads onto fortune, omitted, all their voyages end in shallows and miseries. Upon such tide are we now...

William Shakespeare

Our revels now are ended. These our actors, As I foretold you, were all spirits, and Are melted into air, into thin air; And like the baseless fabric of this vision, The cloud-capp'd tow'rs, the gorgeous palaces, The solemn temples, the great glove i...

William Shakespeare

A good sherris-sack hath a twofold operation in it. It ascends me into the brain, dries me there all the foolish and dull and crudy vapors which environ it, makes it apprehensive, quick, forgetive, full of nimble, fiery, and delectable shapes, which,...

William Shakespeare

If I had a thousand sons, the first humane principle I would teach them should be to forswear thin potations and to addict themselves to sack.

William Shakespeare

LEAR: ...yet you see how this world goes. GLOS.: I see it feelingly.

William Shakespeare

In Antiochus and his daughter you have heard of monstrous lust the due and just reward; In Pericles, his queen, and daughter, seen, Although assailed with fortune fierce and keen, Virtue preserved from fell destruction's blast, Led on by heaven, and ...

William Shakespeare

Of all base passions fear is most accurs'd.

William Shakespeare

In emerald tufts, flowers purple, blue and white; Like sapphire, pearl, and rich embroidery, Buckled below fair knighthood's bending knee; Fairies use flower for their charactery.

William Shakespeare

Tis an ill cook that cannot lick his own fingers.

William Shakespeare

Words are easy, like the wind; Faithful friends are hard to find.

William Shakespeare

But if the while I think on thee, dear friend, All losses are restored and sorrows end.

William Shakespeare

The small amount of foolery wise men have makes a great show.

William Shakespeare

I am a Jew. Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions; fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, heal'd by the same means, warm'd and cool'd by the same winter ...

William Shakespeare

Mother, you have my father much offended.

William Shakespeare

Within the infant rind of this small flower Poison hath residence and medicine power. For this, being smelt, with that part cheers each part; Being tasted, stays all senses with the heart. Two such opposèd kings encamp them still, In man as well as ...

William Shakespeare

Virtue and genuine graces in themselves speak what no words can utter.

William Shakespeare

for my grief's so great That no supporter but the huge firm earth Can hold it up: here I and sorrows sit; Here is my throne, bid kings come bow to it. (Constance, from King John, Act III, scene 1)

William Shakespeare

Is there no pity sitting in the clouds that sees into the bottom of my grief?

William Shakespeare

Author Bio

  • NameWilliam Shakespeare
  • DescriptionEnglish playwright and poet
  • AliasesShakespeare; The Bard; The Bard of Avon
  • Born1564
  • DiedMay 3, 1616
  • CountryEngland
  • ProfessionPlaywright; Poet; Stage Actor; Writer
  • WorksHamlet; Romeo And Juliet; As You Like It; Macbeth; A Midsummer Night's Dream; Shakespeare's Sonnets