100 Top & Most Popular William Shakespeare Quotes

About William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare, often hailed as the greatest playwright in the English language, has left an indelible mark on literature with his timeless works. His quotes span a wide range of topics, from love and life to wisdom and reflection. This collection of the most popular William Shakespeare quotes by topic aims to capture the essence of his profound observations.

100 Top Quotes by William Shakespeare in English

Here are 100 top and popular quotes by William Shakespeare, organized by various topics:

William Shakespeare Quotes on Love

Shakespeare’s insights on love capture its beauty, complexity, and sometimes its pain. His words reflect the depth and breadth of human emotion.

“The course of true love never did run smooth.” – William Shakespeare

“Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.” – William Shakespeare

“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate.” – William Shakespeare

“My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep; the more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite.” – William Shakespeare

“If music be the food of love, play on.” – William Shakespeare

“Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs.” – William Shakespeare

“Doubt thou the stars are fire; doubt that the sun doth move; doubt truth to be a liar; but never doubt I love.” – William Shakespeare

“So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, so long lives this, and this gives life to thee.” – William Shakespeare

“The more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite.” – William Shakespeare

“Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds.” – William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare Quotes on Life

Shakespeare’s reflections on life are profound and often poignant, capturing the complexities and transience of the human experience.

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” – William Shakespeare

“Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more.” – William Shakespeare

“To be, or not to be, that is the question.” – William Shakespeare

“The better part of valor is discretion.” – William Shakespeare

“When we are born, we cry that we are come to this great stage of fools.” – William Shakespeare

“Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.” – William Shakespeare

“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.” – William Shakespeare

“Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.” – William Shakespeare

“We know what we are, but know not what we may be.” – William Shakespeare

“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.” – William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare Quotes on Wisdom

Shakespeare’s quotes on wisdom offer timeless advice and reflections on human behavior and society’s moral fabric.

“The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.” – William Shakespeare

“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” – William Shakespeare

“A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.” – William Shakespeare

“Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice; take each man’s censure, but reserve thy judgment.” – William Shakespeare

“Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast.” – William Shakespeare

“Ignorance is the curse of God; knowledge is the wing wherewith we fly to heaven.” – William Shakespeare

“Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.” – William Shakespeare

“The robbed that smiles, steals something from the thief.” – William Shakespeare

“Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.” – William Shakespeare

“No legacy is so rich as honesty.” – William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare Quotes on Death

Shakespeare’s contemplation on death reveals his deep understanding of the inevitability and the mystery surrounding it.

“To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow, creeps in this petty pace from day to day.” – William Shakespeare

“Good night, good night! Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow.” – William Shakespeare

“Death, a necessary end, will come when it will come.” – William Shakespeare

“When beggars die, there are no comets seen; the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.” – William Shakespeare

“The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.” – William Shakespeare

“This world is not for aye, nor ’tis not strange that even our loves should with our fortunes change.” – William Shakespeare

“I am a man more sinned against than sinning.” – William Shakespeare

“Nothing in his life became him like the leaving it.” – William Shakespeare

“For in that sleep of death what dreams may come.” – William Shakespeare

“Come what come may, time and the hour runs through the roughest day.” – William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare Quotes on Friendship

Shakespeare’s thoughts on friendship emphasize loyalty, trust, and the bonds that tie individuals together.

“A friend is one that knows you as you are, understands where you have been, accepts what you have become, and still, gently allows you to grow.” – William Shakespeare

“Words are easy, like the wind; Faithful friends are hard to find.” – William Shakespeare

“I count myself in nothing else so happy as in a soul remembering my good friends.” – William Shakespeare

“A friend should bear his friend’s infirmities.” – William Shakespeare

“Friendship is constant in all other things save in the office and affairs of love.” – William Shakespeare

“The friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, grapple them unto thy soul with hoops of steel.” – William Shakespeare

“A man that hath friends must show himself friendly.” – William Shakespeare

“Keep thy friend under thy own life’s key.” – William Shakespeare

“Thy friendship makes us fresh.” – William Shakespeare

“Friendship is the cement that holds the world together.” – William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare Quotes on Human Nature

Shakespeare’s understanding of human nature reveals the complexities and contradictions inherent in human behavior.

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” – William Shakespeare

“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” – William Shakespeare

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

“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.” – William Shakespeare

“Lord, what fools these mortals be!” – William Shakespeare

“How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world.” – William Shakespeare

“Hell is empty and all the devils are here.” – William Shakespeare

“We know what we are, but know not what we may be.” – William Shakespeare

“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” – William Shakespeare

“This above all: to thine own self be true.” – William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare Quotes on Time

Shakespeare’s reflections on time often highlight its fleeting nature and its impact on human life.

“Time is very slow for those who wait, very fast for those who are scared, very long for those who lament, very short for those who celebrate; but for those who love, time is eternal.” – William Shakespeare

“Time and the hour run through the roughest day.” – William Shakespeare

“Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.” – William Shakespeare

“The time of life is short; to spend that shortness basely were too long.” – William Shakespeare

“Defer no time, delays have dangerous ends.” – William Shakespeare

“Come what come may, time and the hour run through the roughest day.” – William Shakespeare

“In time we hate that which we often fear.” – William Shakespeare

“Time shall unfold what plighted cunning hides.” – William Shakespeare

“O, call back yesterday, bid time return.” – William Shakespeare

“Time is the justice that examines all offenders.” – William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare Quotes on Fate

Shakespeare’s thoughts on fate reflect the tension between destiny and human agency.

“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.” – William Shakespeare

“Men at some time are masters of their fates.” – William Shakespeare

“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves.” – William Shakespeare

“Our wills and fates do so contrary run that our devices still fall to our undoing.” – William Shakespeare

“What’s done is done.” – William Shakespeare

“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” – William Shakespeare

“The readiness is all.” – William Shakespeare

“Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.” – William Shakespeare

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.” – William Shakespeare

“The time of life is short; to spend that shortness basely were too long.” – William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare Quotes on Ambition

Shakespeare’s quotes on ambition explore its potential for both greatness and downfall.

“Ambition should be made of sterner stuff.” – William Shakespeare

“I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself and falls on the other.” – William Shakespeare

“Ambition’s debt is paid.” – William Shakespeare

“Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.” – William Shakespeare

“Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.” – William Shakespeare

“I am a man more sinned against than sinning.” – William Shakespeare

“I am a man more sinned against than sinning.” – William Shakespeare

“The better part of valor is discretion.” – William Shakespeare

“Hell is empty and all the devils are here.” – William Shakespeare

“The better part of valor is discretion.” – William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare Quotes on Betrayal

Shakespeare’s quotes on betrayal delve into the depths of treachery and its impact on relationships.

“Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.” – William Shakespeare

“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.” – William Shakespeare

“The robbed that smiles, steals something from the thief.” – William Shakespeare

“There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats, for I am armed so strong in honesty that they pass by me like the idle wind, which I respect not.” – William Shakespeare

“There is no art to find the mind’s construction in the face.” – William Shakespeare

“My friends are my estate.” – William Shakespeare

“Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.” – William Shakespeare

“Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast.” – William Shakespeare

“Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.” – William Shakespeare

“In time we hate that which we often fear.” – William Shakespeare

Conclusion

William Shakespeare’s quotes continue to resonate with readers across generations, offering profound insights into the human condition, emotions, and the complexities of life. Whether on love, life, wisdom, or friendship, Shakespeare’s words remain timeless and universal, inviting reflection and contemplation.

FAQs:

1. Who was William Shakespeare?

William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s pre-eminent dramatist.

2. What are some of William Shakespeare’s most famous works?

Some of William Shakespeare’s most famous works include “Romeo and Juliet,” “Hamlet,” “Macbeth,” “Othello,” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

3. What themes are common in William Shakespeare’s works?

Common themes in Shakespeare’s works include love, power, betrayal, jealousy, ambition, and the complexity of human nature.

4. What is Shakespearean language?

Shakespearean language refers to the rich, poetic, and often archaic language used by William Shakespeare in his plays and sonnets.

5. Why is William Shakespeare still relevant today?

William Shakespeare’s works are still relevant today because they explore timeless themes and emotions that resonate with audiences of all ages and cultures. Additionally, his use of language and characterization continues to inspire writers, actors, and artists around the world.