William Shakespeare Quotes | Quotes on love, life, Knowledge, time, and Inspirational Quotes

Hello brothers and sisters! Welcome to our site. Here, we have collected the best quotes of the legendary William Shakespeare — dramatist, poet, and actor. We have categorized his quotes under different topics to make it easier for you to explore and navigate. Dive in and enjoy the timeless wisdom of Shakespeare’s words.

William Shakespeare

(English play writer, poet: 1556-1616)

Inspirational Quotes

1. “Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.”
   Meaning: Greatness comes in different ways.
   Explanation: Some people are naturally talented, some work hard to achieve success, and some unexpectedly find themselves in positions of importance. The quote encourages embracing your potential and not fearing the responsibilities of greatness.

2. “When we are born, we cry that we have come to this great stage of fools.”
   Meaning: Life is full of challenges and human folly.
   Explanation: From the moment we are born, we are exposed to a world of confusion, mistakes, and learning. Shakespeare reminds us that life is a stage where everyone has a role, and we must navigate it wisely.

3. “It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.”
   Meaning: We control our own fate.
   Explanation: Our actions, decisions, and choices shape our destiny. Believing in personal responsibility is more powerful than leaving life to chance or luck.

4. “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”
   Meaning: Events themselves are neutral; perception matters.
   Explanation: Our thoughts give meaning to experiences. What seems negative may offer lessons, and what seems positive may have hidden challenges. Perspective shapes reality.

5. “A light heart lives long.”
   Meaning: Happiness contributes to longevity.
   Explanation: Maintaining a cheerful and optimistic attitude improves mental and physical well-being, ultimately helping us live a longer, healthier life.

6. “When sorrows come, they come not single spies, But in battalions.”
   Meaning: Problems often arrive in groups.
   Explanation: Misfortunes rarely occur in isolation. Being mentally prepared for challenging times helps us cope better when multiple difficulties arise.

7. “Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.”
   Meaning: Punctuality is essential.
   Explanation: It’s better to be over-prepared or early than to miss opportunities. Timeliness reflects discipline and respect for others’ time.

8. “Fishes live in the sea, as men do a-land; the great ones eat up the little ones.”
   Meaning: Life has hierarchies.
   Explanation: Like nature, human society has strong and weak members. Awareness of social dynamics is key to navigating life safely and wisely.

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Love Quotes

1. “Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind.”
   Meaning: True love is deeper than appearances.
   Explanation: Love is based on understanding, emotional connection, and inner qualities, rather than physical beauty.

2. “The course of true love never did run smooth.”
   Meaning: Love is never easy.
   Explanation: All meaningful relationships face obstacles. Patience, communication, and persistence are essential for love to thrive.

3. “Love sought is good; but given unsought is better.”
   Meaning: Love freely given is most valuable.
   Explanation: Being loved naturally, without asking or forcing it, is more genuine and fulfilling than seeking love actively.

4. “If you love and get hurt, love more. If you love more and hurt more, love even more…”
   Meaning: Resilience in love is important.
   Explanation: True love requires courage. Keep loving despite difficulties, heartbreaks, and failures, until emotional growth diminishes pain.

5. “Love is heavy and light, bright and dark, hot and cold, sick and healthy, asleep and awake—it’s everything except what it is!”
   Meaning: Love is complex and multifaceted.
   Explanation: Love cannot be confined to a single definition. It involves contradictions and extremes, making it rich, unpredictable, and transformative.

6. “Love me or hate me, both are in my favor… If you love me, I'll always be in your heart…, If you hate me, I'll always be in your mind.”
   Meaning: Both love and hate make one remembered.
   Explanation: Being noticed and remembered matters more than universal approval. Attention, whether positive or negative, reflects one’s impact on others.

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Life Quotes

1. “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.”
   Meaning: Treat everyone kindly, but with discernment.
   Explanation: Show love and respect to all, but be cautious about trust. Avoid harming anyone and live ethically.

2. “Suit the action to the word, the word to the action.”
   Meaning: Align your words and actions.
   Explanation: Integrity requires consistency. What you promise should match what you do, creating reliability and trustworthiness.

3. “To do a great right, do a little wrong.”
   Meaning: Sometimes minor compromises are necessary.
   Explanation: Achieving a greater good may require small sacrifices. Ethics can involve nuanced decision-making for long-term benefits.

4. “The object of Art is to give life a shape.”
   Meaning: Art gives meaning to life.
   Explanation: Creative expression reflects and structures human experience, making life comprehensible, meaningful, and beautiful.

5. “Life is as tedious as a twice-told tale, vexing the dull ear of a drowsy man.”
   Meaning: Repetition can make life dull.
   Explanation: Repetitive experiences or monotony can feel tiresome, but awareness and engagement can transform them into learning opportunities.

6. “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage…”
   Meaning: Life is transient and fleeting.
   Explanation: Life is temporary and full of appearances and struggles. One should focus on meaningful actions rather than illusions of permanence.

7. “People’s good deeds we write in water. The evil deeds are etched in brass.”
   Meaning: Society remembers wrongs more than good deeds.
   Explanation: Good actions are often overlooked, while mistakes are remembered. This encourages moral vigilance and humility.

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Knowledge Quotes

1. “The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.”
   Meaning: True wisdom is humility.
   Explanation: Self-awareness distinguishes wisdom from ignorance. Recognizing one’s limits is a sign of intelligence.

2. “Brevity is the soul of wit.”
   Meaning: Keep ideas concise.
   Explanation: Clarity and brevity make communication effective. Long-winded speech often weakens the message.

3. “Better a witty fool, than a foolish wit.”
   Meaning: Natural cleverness outweighs pretended intelligence.
   Explanation: It is better to be genuinely playful and sharp than to pretend knowledge and risk foolishness.

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Time Quote

1. “Time is very slow for those who wait, very fast for those who are scared, very long for those who lament, very short for those who celebrate, but for those who love, time is eternal.”
   Meaning: Perception of time depends on emotions.
   Explanation: Our experience of time changes based on feelings. Waiting or fear makes it drag, joy makes it fly, and love makes it feel infinite.