Best Lines by Shakespeare: Quotes on Life, Love and More!

Welcome to our comprehensive collection of the best lines by Shakespeare. Here, you'll discover unforgettable quotes that have captivated audiences for centuries, spanning themes of love, loss, ambition, and the human spirit. Use the navigation above to quickly jump to specific sections for easy access to the quotes that best suit your needs.

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The Best Lines by Shakespeare: A Collection of His Most Famous Quotes

"To be, or not to be, that is the question."

- A contemplation of existence, mortality, and the profound choices we face in life.

(Hamlet)

"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players."

- Life as a performance, with each person playing various roles throughout their lifetime.

(As You Like It)

"This above all: to thine own self be true."

- A timeless reminder to be authentic and live in accordance with one's values.

(Hamlet)

"Though she be but little, she is fierce."

- A celebration of strength, determination, and spirit, often used to empower women.

(A Midsummer Night's Dream)

"The course of true love never did run smooth."

- An acknowledgment of the challenges and obstacles inherent in love.

(A Midsummer Night's Dream)

"Et tu, Brute?"

- An expression of ultimate betrayal from a friend.

(Julius Caesar)

More Famous Shakespeare Quotes:

  • "The better part of Valour, is Discretion." - (Henry IV, Part 1)
  • "A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!" - (Richard III)
  • "Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." - (Twelfth Night)
  • "If you prick us, do we not bleed?" - (The Merchant of Venice)
  • "Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once." - (Julius Caesar)

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Best Lines by Shakespeare: Love Quotes

"Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind."
(A Midsummer Night's Dream)

- Love transcends physical attraction, focusing on deeper connections.

"If music be the food of love, play on."
(Twelfth Night)

- The power of music to evoke and amplify feelings of love.

"My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep."
(Romeo and Juliet)

- The immeasurable and profound nature of passionate love.

More Shakespeare Quotes on Love and Relationships:

  • "The course of true love never did run smooth." - (A Midsummer Night's Dream)
  • "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate." - (Sonnet 18)
  • "So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee." - (Sonnet 18)
  • "Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs." - (Romeo and Juliet)
  • "Who ever loved that loved not at first sight?" - (As You Like It)

Shakespeare's Best Lines for Life's Biggest Questions

"We are such stuff as dreams are made on, and our little life is rounded with a sleep."

- The fleeting nature of life and its connection to the ephemeral world of dreams.

(The Tempest)

"What's past is prologue."

- The past shapes the present, and our experiences serve as a preface to what's yet to come.

(The Tempest)

"The quality of mercy is not strain'd, it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven."

- The importance of compassion and forgiveness.

(The Merchant of Venice)

More Shakespeare Quotes on Life, Death, and the Human Condition:

  • "All that glitters is not gold." - (The Merchant of Venice)
  • "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings." - (Julius Caesar)
  • "To thine own self be true." - (Hamlet)
  • "Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more." - (Macbeth)
  • "The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones." - (Julius Caesar)

Shakespeare Quotes for Inspiration and Motivation

"Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt."
(Measure for Measure)

- The paralyzing effect of self-doubt and the importance of courageously pursuing our goals.

"Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em."
(Twelfth Night)

- The diverse paths to achieving greatness and the potential that lies within each of us.

More Shakespeare Quotes for Inspiration and Motivation:

  • "The world is your oyster." - (The Merry Wives of Windsor)
  • "How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world." - (The Merchant of Venice)
  • "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." - (Hamlet)
  • "All's well that ends well." - (All's Well That Ends Well)
  • "This above all: to thine own self be true." - (Hamlet)

Shakespeare Quotes for Weddings

"Journeys end in lovers meeting."
(Twelfth Night)
"My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep."
(Romeo and Juliet)
"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate."
(Sonnet 18)

Use these quotes to toast the happy couple or in wedding vows to express love and devotion.

Shakespeare Quotes for Banter with Friends

"The lady doth protest too much, methinks."
(Hamlet)
"Better a witty fool, than a foolish wit."
(Twelfth Night)
"I would challenge you to a battle of wits, but I see you are unarmed!"
(Much Ado About Nothing)

Perfect for playful teasing and light-hearted banter among friends.

Shakespeare Quotes for Banter with Enemies

"Et tu, Brute?"
(Julius Caesar)
"I do desire we may be better strangers."
(As You Like It)
"The course of true love never did run smooth."
(A Midsummer Night's Dream)

Use these quotes to subtly jab at foes or express feelings of betrayal and conflict.

Shakespeare Quotes for Daily Wisdom

"This above all: to thine own self be true."
(Hamlet)
"All that glitters is not gold."
(The Merchant of Venice)
"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves, that we are underlings."
(Julius Caesar)

Share these quotes as daily affirmations or life lessons to ponder and live by.

Shakespeare Quotes for Work

"Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more."
(Henry V)
"Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em."
(Twelfth Night)
"The better part of Valour, is Discretion."
(Henry IV, Part 1)

Inspire your colleagues or yourself with these motivational and wise quotes.

Shakespeare Quotes for Sport

"The game is afoot."
(Henry V)
"Cry 'Havoc!', and let slip the dogs of war."
(Julius Caesar)
"Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt."
(Measure for Measure)

Motivate your team or yourself with these powerful quotes before a big game or challenge.

Shakespeare Quotes for Flirting

"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?"
(Sonnet 18)
"Give me my sin again."
(Romeo and Juliet)
"Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind."
(A Midsummer Night's Dream)

Charm your crush or partner with these romantic and poetic lines.

Shakespeare Quotes for Lovers

"My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep."
(Romeo and Juliet)
"Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs."
(Romeo and Juliet)

Express deep love and affection with these timeless quotes.

Shakespeare Quotes for Celebrations and Parties

"Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people."
(Henry V)
"I like this place and willingly could waste my time in it."
(As You Like It)
"With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come."
(The Merchant of Venice)

Use these quotes to toast, celebrate, and add literary charm to any party.

Shakespeare Quotes for Yearbooks

"He that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man."
(Much Ado About Nothing)
"Hear my soul speak: The very instant that I saw you, did my heart fly at your service."
(The Tempest)
"We have heard the chimes at midnight, Master Shallow."
(Henry IV, Part 2)
"Better a witty fool than a foolish wit."
(Twelfth Night)

Celebrate your school years with these memorable quotes.

Shakespeare Quotes for Graduation

"We know what we are, but know not what we may be."
(Hamlet)
"The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together."
(All's Well That Ends Well)
"It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves."
(Julius Caesar)

Inspire graduates with these insightful quotes as they embark on their new journey.

Shakespeare Quotes for Birthdays

"With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come."
(The Merchant of Venice)
"I can no other answer make but thanks, and thanks; and ever thanks."
(Twelfth Night)
"Present mirth hath present laughter."
(Twelfth Night)

Celebrate birthdays with joy and gratitude using these quotes.

Shakespeare Quotes About Time

"Better three hours too soon than a minute too late."
(The Merry Wives of Windsor)
"I wasted time, and now doth time waste me."
(Richard II)
"Time is the justice that examines all offenders."
(As You Like It)

Reflect on the nature of time with these thought-provoking quotes.

Shakespeare Quotes About Hate

"O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; it is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on."
(Othello)
"The evil that men do lives after them; the good is oft interred with their bones."
(Julius Caesar)
"My only love sprung from my only hate!"
(Romeo and Juliet)

Explore the complexities of hate with these powerful quotes.

Shakespeare Quotes About Fools

"A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool."
(As You Like It)
"The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool."
(As You Like It)
"Lord, what fools these mortals be!"
(A Midsummer Night's Dream)

Reflect on human folly and wisdom with these insightful quotes.

Shakespeare Quotes About Family

"The bond of family is not to be broken."
(Henry V)
"How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child!"
(King Lear)
"My crown is in my heart, not on my head; not deck'd with diamonds and Indian stones, nor to be seen: my crown is call'd content."
(Henry VI, Part 3)

Celebrate the importance and complexities of family with these quotes.

Shakespeare Quotes About Friendship

"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."
(King Lear)
"I am wealthy in my friends."
(Timon of Athens)
"Words are easy, like the wind; Faithful friends are hard to find."
(The Passionate Pilgrim)

Celebrate and reflect on the value of true friendship with these quotes.

Miscellaneous Shakespeare Quotes

"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players."
(As You Like It)
"To be, or not to be, that is the question."
(Hamlet)
"What's past is prologue."
(The Tempest)
"The quality of mercy is not strain'd, it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven."
(The Merchant of Venice)

These quotes can fit various situations, offering timeless wisdom and reflection.

Test Your Shakespeare Knowledge with Our Fun Quizzes! 🎭📝

Dive into the world of Shakespeare with our engaging and entertaining quizzes. Challenge yourself with trivia, emojis, and the Bard's famous insults. Perfect for both enthusiasts and newcomers!

General Knowledge Quiz 📚 Emoji Quiz 😃 Insults Quiz 🗣️