William Shakespeare Quotes

Oh, I have passed a miserable night, so full of ugly sights, of ghastly dreams!

How easy it is for the proper-false in woman's waxen hearts to set their forms!

It is held that valor is the chiefest virtue, and most dignifies the haver.

One sin another doth provoke.

I came, saw, and overcame.

Now the time is come, That France must veil her lofty-plumed crest, And let her head fall into England's lap.

But virtue never will be mov'd, Though lewdness court it in a shape of heaven.

Virtue preserv'd from fell destruction's blast, Led on by heaven, and crown'd with joy at last.

Virtue that transgresses is but patched with sin; and sin that amends is but patched with virtue.

Virtue's office never breaks men's troth.

Therefore it is most expedient for the wise, if Don Worm (his conscience) find no impediment to the contrary, to be the trumpet of his own virtues, as I am to myself.

The appurtenance of welcome is fashion and ceremony.

The will of man is by his reason sway'd.

Wisdom and fortune combating together, If that the former dare but what it can, No chance may shake it.

I will keep where there is wit stirring, and leave the faction of fools.

So many miseries have craz'd my voice, That my woe-wearied tongue is still and mute.

Wise men ne'er sit and wail their woes, but presently prevent the ways to wail.

As for my wife, I would you had her spirit in such another; The third o' th' world is yours, which with a snaffle You may pace easy, but not such a wife.

I was not born under a rhyming planet, nor I cannot woo to in festival terms.

Be merry, and employ your chiefest thoughts To courtship and such fair ostents of love As shall conveniently become you there.

A woman impudent and mannish grown Is not more loath'd than an effeminate man.

Ah me, how weak a thing The heart of woman is!

Would I were dead, if God's good will were so, For what is in this world but grief and woe?

What is aught but as 'tis valued?

I would that I were low laid in my grave. I am not worth this coil that's made for me.

I am declined Into the vale of years.

For youth no less becomes The light and careless livery that it wears, Than settled age his sables, and his weeds Importing health and graveness.

The spirit of a youth That means to be of note, begins betimes.

God defend the right.

They that touch pitch will be defiled.

I desire you in friendship, and I will one way or other make you amends.

Thy friendship makes us fresh.

That which I would discover The law of friendship bids me to conceal.

I understand thy kisses, and thou mine, And that's a feeling disputation.

Violent fires soon burn out themselves, small showers last long, but sudden storms are short; he tires betimes that spurs too fast.

We cannot fight for love, as men may do; we shou'd be woo'd, and were not made to woo

Thanks, sir; all the rest is mute.

What we determine we often break. Purpose is but the slave to memory.

T'is true: there's magic in the web of it.

Thou knowest, winter tames man, woman, and beast.

Have I caught thee, my heavenly jewel? Why, now let me die, for I have lived long enough.

The sight of lovers feedeth those in love.

A harmless necessary cat.

'Tis brief, my lord...as woman's love.

All thy vexations Were but my trials of thy love, and thou Hast strangely stood the test; here, afore heaven, I ratify this my rich gift.

My charity is outrage, life my shame; And in that shame still live my sorrow's rage!

Fortune reigns in gifts of the world.

A scar nobly got is a good livery of honor.

Plutus himself, That knows the tinct and multiplying med'cine, Hath not in nature's mystery more science Than I have in this ring.

Discuss unto me: art thou officer, Or art thou base, common, and popular?