Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by William Shakespeare (British Playwright)

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) was an English poet and playwright. The “Bard of Avon” is widely regarded as the best English language writer ever, unrivaled in widespread and critical acclaim. Shakespeare’s greatness lies not only in the impressive range and the virtuosity of his literary output but also in the power he offered readers to uncover themselves in the mirror of his literature.

Not many particulars of Shakespeare’s life are documented, except for a few scanty records that fix his birth, marriage, the baptism of his three children, and his brilliant success as a playwright and an actor. There is much speculation about many aspects of Shakespeare’s life, including the authorship and chronology of his works, his physical appearance, and his religious affiliation. All this ambiguity about Shakespeare’s life and creative development has factored into his legend as an inborn artist rather than an intentional dramatist. Innumerable literary scholars and historians have dedicated their careers not only to throw light on the mystery of Shakespeare, but also to investigate for probable alternative authors to his works—the education, life, and literary output of Francis Bacon, Edward de Vere, and other authors of that age appear a better fit to explain Shakespeare’s genius.

Shakespeare produced most of his famous works, viz., Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, King Lear, Macbeth, Julius Caesar, and others, between the ages of 25 and 49. His authorship consists of about 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and several other poems. His plays, divided equally among tragedies, comedies, histories, and romance, explore the subtlety of behavior and the psychology of the human experience.

More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by William Shakespeare

When valor preys on reason, it eats the sword it fights with.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Valor, Bravery, Reason

What we determine we often break. Purpose is but the slave to memory.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Purpose

I do not much dislike the matter, but the manner of his speech.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Style

I hate ingratitude more in a person; than lying, vainness, babbling, drunkenness, or, any taint of vice whose strong corruption inhabits our frail blood.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Ingratitude, Gratitude

When our actions do not, our fears make us traitors.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Act, Action, Fear

The man was noble; but with his last attempt he wiped it out; betrayed his country; and his name remains to the ensuing age abhorred.
—William Shakespeare

He that loves to be flattered is worthy of the flatterer.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Flattery

Those mouth-made vows which break themselves in swearing.
—William Shakespeare

O, had I but followed the arts!
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Art

I will name you the degrees. The first, the Retort Courteous; the second, the Quip Modest; the third, the Reply Churlish; the fourth, the Reproof Valiant; the fifth, the Countercheck Quarrelsome; the sixth, the Lie with Circumstance; the seventh, the Lie Direct.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Argument

Report me and my cause aright.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Media

The flighty purpose never is o’ertook, unless the deed go with it.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Action, Purpose, Deeds

Man delights not me, nor woman either.
—William Shakespeare

The empty vessel makes the loudest sound.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Character

If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do, chapels had been churches, and poor men’s cottages princes’ palaces. It is a good divine that follows his own instructions; I can easier teach twenty what were good to be done, than be one of the twenty to follow mine own teaching.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Goodness, Hypocrisy, Advice

The force of his own merit makes his way, a gift that heaven gives for him.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Merit

Though I look old, yet I am strong and lusty; for in my youth I never did apply hot and rebellious liquors in my blood; and did not, with unbashful forehead, woo the means of weakness and debility: therefore my age is as a lusty winter, frosty but kindly.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Aging, Age

Some men there are love not a gaping pig, some that are mad if they behold a cat, and others when the bagpipe sings I the nose cannot contain their urine.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Hate

The law is past depth to those who, without heed, do plunge into it.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Law

Art made tongue-tied by authority.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Censorship

The babbling gossip of the air.
—William Shakespeare

He is half of a blessed man. Left to be finished by such as she; and she a fair divided excellence, whose fullness of perfection lies in him.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Men, Nature, Women, Men & Women

When devils will their blackest sins put on, they do suggest at first with heavenly shows.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Temptation

The will is deaf and hears no heedful friends.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Willpower, Will Power, Will

I shall see The winged vengeance overtake such children.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Vengeance

I do love my country’s good with a respect more tender, more holy and profound than mine own life.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Patriotism

Take all the swift advantage of the hours.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Opportunity

There is no terror in your threats; for I am armed so strong in honesty that they pass by me as the idle wind, which I respect not.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Honesty

In peace there’s nothing so becomes a man as modest stillness and humility.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Humility

Let me embrace thee, sour adversity, for wise men say it is the wisest course.
—William Shakespeare
Topics: Blessings, Adversity, Silver Linings, Wisdom

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