Here is a collection of some of my favorite quotes from the English poet, who is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language. Although written more than 400 years ago, it’s amazing how they still ring true today! Enjoy:
- A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.
- Absence from those we love is self from self - a deadly banishment.
- An overflow of good converts to bad.
- Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.
- Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.
- Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.
- Expectation is the root of all heartache.
- Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.
- I am not bound to please thee with my answer.
- I wasted time, and now doth time waste me.
- In time we hate that which we often fear.
- It is neither good nor bad, but thinking makes it so.
- Love is too young to know what conscience is.
- Modest doubt is called the beacon of the wise.
- My crown is called content, a crown that seldom kings enjoy.
- No legacy is so rich as honesty.
- Nothing can come of nothing.
- One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.
- Pleasure and action make the hours seem short.
- Speak low, if you speak love.
- Temptation is the fire that brings up the scum of the heart.
- The course of true love never did run smooth.
- The empty vessel makes the loudest sound.
- The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones.
- The object of art is to give life a shape.
- The robbed that smiles, steals something from the thief.
- Things done well and with a care, exempt themselves from fear.
- We know what we are, but know not what we may be.
- What’s done can’t be undone.
- With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.
