27 Famous Shakespeare Quotes on Life, Love and Beyond

Possibly the most quoted writer in history, William Shakespeare had a unique ability to spin words together in beautiful ways — even when his characters were making terrible life choices. From birthday cards to graduation speeches, there’s a William Shakespeare quote for every occasion.

William Shakespeare's romantic language and poetry have been making lovers swoon for over 400 years. Romantic comedies may be a fun Valentine's Day date, but how many romcom quotes do you know that have endured that long?

• "The course of true love never did run smooth." - A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Act I, scene 1

• "Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind." - A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Act I, scene 1

• “Love sought is good, but given unsought is better.” - Twelfth Night: Act III, scene 1

• “For where thou art, there is the world itself, with every several pleasure in the world; and where though art not, desolation.” - Henry VI, Part II: Act III, scene 2

• “But love is blind and lovers cannot see / The pretty follies that themselves commit.” - The Merchant of Venice: Act II, scene 6

• “My love as deep; the more I give to thee / The more I have, for both are infinite.” - Romeo and Juliet: Act II, scene 2

• “Who ever loved, that loved not at first sight?” - As You Like It: Act III, scene 5

• “Hear my soul speak: / The very instant that I saw you did / My heart fly to your service.” - The Tempest: Act III, scene 1

While Shakespeare’s characters may not navigate life decisions very well, we can take lessons from their (many) mistakes. Just a few quotes from selected works may be enough to guide you in the right direction.

• "All the world's a stage, / And all the men and women merely players.” - As You Like It: Act II, scene 7

• "This above all: to thine own self be true.” - Hamlet: Act I, scene 2

• "For there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." - Hamlet: Act II, scene 2

• "To be, or not to be, that is the question.” - Hamlet: Act III, scene 1

• “All that glisters is not gold." - The Merchant of Venice: Act II, scene 7

• "It's not enough to speak, but to speak true." A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Act V, scene 1

• “Be not afraid of greatness: twas well writ. / Some are born great,— / Some achieve greatness,— / And some have greatness thrust upon them.” - Twelfth Night: Act II, scene 4

Just behind love, life and very complex revenge plots, Shakespearean characters value friendship. These quotable utterances make great foundations for any pair of friends, no matter the century.

• “Friendship is constant in all other things / Save in the office and affairs of love.” - Much Ado About Nothing: Act II, scene 1

• "Neither a borrower nor a lender be; / For loan oft loses both itself and friend." - Hamlet: Act I, scene 3

• “I would not wish, / Any companion in the world but you.” - The Tempest: Act III, scene 1

• “I count myself in nothing else so happy / As in a soul remembering my good friends.” - Richard II: Act II, scene 3

• “That which I would discover / The law of friendship bids me to conceal.” - The Two Gentlemen of Verona: Act III, scene 1

• “A friend should bear his friend's infirmities.” - Julius Caesar: Act IV, scene 3

While Shakespeare’s comedies end in laughter (and weddings), his tragedies are often marred by deaths. Whether a character is foreshadowing their own demise or discussing the loss of another, there are many opportunities for a more morbid reflection.

• "Cowards die many times before their deaths; / the valiant never taste of death but once." - The Life and Death of Julius Caesar: Act II, scene 2

• "A man can die but once." Henry IV, Part 2: Act III, scene 2

• "Thou know'st 'tis common; all that lives must die, / Passing through nature to eternity." - Hamlet: Act I, scene 2

• "Death lies on her like an untimely frost / Upon the sweetest flower of all the field." - Romeo and Juliet: Act IV, scene 5

• "Everyone can master a grief but he that has it." - Much Ado About Nothing: Act III, scene 2

• “And all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!” - Macbeth: Act V, scene 5