Quotes by William Shakespeare

I understand a fury in your words,
But not the words.
"Othello", Act 4 scene 2

'Tis neither here nor there.
"Othello", Act 4 scene 3

But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?
It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.
"Romeo and Juliet", Act 2 scene 1

Good night, good night! parting is such sweet sorrow,
That I shall say good night till it be morrow.
"Romeo and Juliet", Act 2 scene 2

O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?
"Romeo and Juliet", Act 2 scene 2

This bud of love, by summer's ripening breath,
May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet.
"Romeo and Juliet", Act 2 scene 2

What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.
"Romeo and Juliet", Act 2 scene 2

A plague o' both your houses!
"Romeo and Juliet", Act 3 scene 1

Small cheer and great welcome makes a merry feast.
"The Comedy of Errors", Act 3 scene 1

When he is best, he is a little worse than a man; and when he is worst, he is little better than a beast.
"The Merchant of Venice", Act 1 scene 2

My meaning in saying he is a good man, is to have you understand me that he is sufficient.
"The Merchant of Venice", Act 1 scene 3

The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.
"The Merchant of Venice", Act 1 scene 3

It is a wise father that knows his own child.
"The Merchant of Venice", Act 2 scene 2

The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
'T is mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown;
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this sceptred sway,
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God's,
When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,
Though justice be thy plea, consider this,
That in the course of justice none of us
Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy;
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy.
"The Merchant of Venice", Act 4 scene 1

I will make a Star-chamber matter of it.
"The Merry Wives of Windsor", Act 1 scene 1

If there be no great love in the beginning, yet heaven may decrease it upon better acquaintance, when we are married and have more occasion to know one another: I hope, upon familiarity will grow more contempt.
"The Merry Wives of Windsor", Act 1 scene 1

It is a familiar beast to man, and signifies love.
"The Merry Wives of Windsor", Act 1 scene 1

Thou art the Mars of malcontents.
"The Merry Wives of Windsor", Act 1 scene 3

Here will be an old abusing of God's patience and the king's English.
"The Merry Wives of Windsor", Act 1 scene 4

We burn daylight.
"The Merry Wives of Windsor", Act 1 scene 4