William Shakespeare Quotes

Even today many people still use William Shakespeare quotes in their everyday speech without even realising, which exemplifies the talents of this great playwright and poet.

Profile: Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England in 1564. He married at 18 to a women 8 years his senior and they had 3 children. Around 1585 he went to London and his plays were on stage by 1592. He became a partner in the company called Lord Chamberlain's Men for which he produced most of his plays.

William Shakespeare retired back to Stratford some years before his death in 1616 aged 52. His works include about 38 plays and 154 sonnets. Shakespeare's plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more than those of any other playwright.

The reasons for William Shakespeare's enduring fame lie in his ability to dig deep into human emotion and present it simply but eloquently, woven into a great human story about love, tragedy, comedy and so on. Enjoy.

A Top 10 list of
William Shakespeare quotes

1:

"This above all; to thine own self be true."

- William Shakespeare



2:

"Be not afraid of greatness:
some are born great, some achieve greatness,
and some have greatness thrust upon them."

- William Shakespeare



3:

"My words fly up, my thoughts remain below:
Words without thoughts never to heaven go."

- William Shakespeare



4:

"They do not love that do not show their love.
The course of true love never did run smooth."

- William Shakespeare



5:

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

- William Shakespeare



6:

"There was a star danced, and under that was I born."

- William Shakespeare



7:

"Absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it;
the one brings fuel, the other blows it till it burns clear."

- William Shakespeare



8:

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

- William Shakespeare



9:

"Journeys end in lovers meeting."

- William Shakespeare



10:

"Love all, trust a few. Do wrong to none."

- William Shakespeare

Share this Page

More William Shakespeare Quotes... 

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

- William Shakespeare

~

"Better three hours too soon than a minute too late."

- William Shakespeare

~

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

- William Shakespeare

~

"Who could refrain that had a heart to love
and in that heart courage to make love known?"

- William Shakespeare

~

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

- William Shakespeare

Return to
Quotes by Famous People Index
from William Shakespeare Quotes 

Home Page | Top of Page