William Shakespeare - Words of Wisdom

Having recently written an article on the true author of Shakespeare's works - William Shakespeare and only William Shakespeare, I couldn't help to remember some of the famous words from his writings. He has coined a few phrases that up to today still remain in our vocabulary and lexicon. What a genius!

He had a great understanding of the different aspects of our lives and the motivations behind them: love, hate, jealousy, betrayal, relationships, power, prejudice, murder, marriage, family, intrigue, disguise, thievery, society, comedy, tragedy, and history. Shakespeare understood it all and wrote about it with cleverness and wit. That is why his plays and sonnets are so universal and timeless and have been published in so many different languages. His plays can be staged in any time period: antiquity, past or present, and have been done so over the years by many.

Below are a list of some of his famous words or quotes from his various plays and sonnets. They are in no particular order and the particular work from which they are taken is not identified. These words stand alone, and even though taken out of context, can add richness, meaning and lessons to our individual lives. This is why I call Shakespeare a genius. They have been chosen randomly and come from the web-site: http://www.brainlyquotes.com Some of the works from which these are taken, you will be able to guess and identify. I believe no explanation is necessary to their meaning as they can have a different meaning to each individual person. If your decade of age happens to be the 20's, read these again when you are in your 50's and see if the meanings have changed for you. They have for me. If you are in your 50's decade, read this again when you are in your 80's or 90's and see what the meaning is to you then.

All the words below have been authored by William Shakespeare and come from his works or he has incorporated the sayings of his day into his own words and included them in his works:

With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.

There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.

The robbed that smiles, steals something from the thief.

This above all, to thine own self be true.

What's done can't be undone.

Let every eye negotiate for itself and trust no agent.

Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.

I say there is no darkness but ignorance.

Many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage.

Parting is such sweet sorrow.

A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise fool knows himself to be a fool.

Be not afraid of greatness; some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.

Boldness be my friend.

Hell is empty and all the devils are here.

Give thy thoughts no tongue.

For my part, it was Greek to me.

But men are men, the best sometimes forget.

Go to your bosom; Knock there, and ask your heart what it doth know.

I am not bound to please thee with my answer.

Everyone ought to bear patiently the results of his own conduct.

Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valient never taste of death but once.

Like as the waves make towards the pebb'd shore, so do our minutes, hasten to their end.

Love sought is good but given unsought, is better.

Neither a borrower or a lender be.

The course of true love never did run smooth.

Oh what fools these mortals be.

Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge.

'Tis one thing to be tempted, another thing to fall.

We know what we are, but know not what we may be.

The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.

A peace is of a nature of a conquest; for then both parties nobly are subdued, and neither party a loser.

But, O, how bitter a thing is to look into happiness through another man's eyes.

Expectation is the root of all heartachre.

He is winding the watch of his wit; by and by it will strike.

How poor are they that have not patience! What wound did ever heal by by degrees.

How far the little candle throws its beam! So shines a good deed in a naughty world.

Give every man thy ear, but few they voice.

Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast.

It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.

I have learned much from Shakespeare's words and the reading of his works. I hope you have as well. Some of his words have become the sayings of our day and we have incorporated them in our vocabulary and lexicon as his words are timeless and universal.