True, I talk of dreams, Which are the children of an idle brain, Begot of nothing but vain fantasy, Which is as thin of substance as the air, And more inconstant than the wind, who woos Even now the frozen bosom of the north, And, being anger'd, puffs away from thence, Turning his side to the dew-dropping south.
William ShakespeareThe voice of parents is the voice of gods, for to their children they are heaven's lieutenants.
William ShakespeareBut whate'er I am, nor I nor any man that but man is, With nothing shall be pleased 'til he be eased With being nothing.
William ShakespeareAnd worse I may be yet: the worst is not So long as we can say 'This is the worst.
William ShakespeareYou have witchcraft in your lips, there is more eloquence in a sugar touch of them than in the tongues of the French council; and they should sooner persuade Harry of England than a general petition of monarchs.
William ShakespeareInstead of weeping when a tragedy occurs in a songbird's life, it sings away its grief. I believe we could well follow the pattern of our feathered friends.
William ShakespeareLife's but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more; it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
William ShakespeareMy thoughts are whirled like a potter's wheel; I know not where I am nor what I do.
William Shakespearefor 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 ShakespeareA whoreson jackanapes must take me up for swearing; as if I borrowed mine oaths of him and might not spend them at my pleasure. When a gentleman is disposed to swear, it is not for any standers-by to curtail his oaths, ha?
William ShakespeareAnd thence from Athens turn away our eyes To seek new friends and stranger companies.
William ShakespeareCoward dogs most spend their mouths when what they seem to threaten runs far before them.
William ShakespeareIt is meant that noble minds keep ever with their likes; for who so firm that cannot be seduced.
William ShakespeareThink you a little din can daunt mine ears? Have I not in my time heard lions roar? Have I not heard the sea, puffed up with winds, Rage like an angry boar chafed with sweat? Have I not heard great ordinance in the field, And Heaven's artillery thunder in the skies? Have I not in a pitched battle heard Loud 'larums, neighing steeds, and trumpets' clang? And do you tell me of a woman's tongue, That gives not half so great a blow to hear As will a chestnut in a farmer's fire? Tush! tush! fear boys with bugs. Grumio: For he fears none.
William ShakespeareLet me twine Mine arms about that body, where against My grained ash an hundred times hath broke And scarr'd the moon with splinters: here I clip The anvil of my sword, and do contest As hotly and as nobly with thy love As ever in ambitious strength I did Contend against thy valour. Know thou first, I loved the maid I married; never man Sigh'd truer breath; but that I see thee here, Thou noble thing! more dances my rapt heart Than when I first my wedded mistress saw Bestride my threshold.
William ShakespeareHis life was gentle; and the elements So mixed in him, that Nature might stand up And say to all the world, THIS WAS A MAN!
William ShakespeareAway, you cut-purse rascal! you filthy bung, away! By this wine, I'll thrust my knife in your mouldy chaps, an you play the saucy cuttle with me. Away, you bottle-ale rascal! you basket-hilt stale juggler, you!
William ShakespeareThat if you be honest and fair, your honesty should admit no discourse to your beauty.
William ShakespeareThe peace of heaven is theirs that lift their swords, in such a just and charitable war.
William ShakespeareTime's the king of men; he's both their parent, and he is their grave, and gives them what he will, not what they crave.
William Shakespeare