Discovering Wisdom: 30 Unforgettable Shakespeare Quotes Reflecting Life Lessons
William Shakespeare was an English poet born in 16th century England and is widely regarded as one of the best (if not the best) writer in the English speaking world. His most well known play include Romeo and Juliet (Circa 1597), Hamlet (Circa 1603) & Macbeth (Circa 1606).
From William Shakespeare’s many plays and writings we can gain valuable life lessons. Below, we present to you 30 Shakespeare quotes on life lessons!
Shakespeare quotes on life lessons
“We know what we are, but know not what we may be.”
William Shakespeare Quotes on Life Lessons – Hamlet act 4, Scene 5
“The course of true love never did run smooth.”
A midsummer Night’s Dream, Act 1 Scene 1
“Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.”
Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 3
“The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.”
As You Like It – Act v, Scene I
“To do a great right do a little wrong.”
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE Quotes on Life Lessons- The Merchant Of Venice – Act IV, Scene I
“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”
Twelfth Night, Act III, Scene IV
“O’ What may man within him hide, though angel on the outward side!”
Measure for Measure, Act III, Scene II
“Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.”
Henry IV Part II, Act III, Scene I
“The better part of valor is discretion”
Henry Iv, Part 1, Act V, Scene IV
“Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.”
A midsummer Night’s Dream, Act I, Scene I
“Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.”
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE Quotes on Life Lessons – Julius Caesar, Act II, Scene II
“All that glisters is not gold.”
The Merchant of Venice, Act II, Scene VII
“Better a witty fool than a foolish wit.”
Twelfth Night, Act I, Scene V
“If to do were as easy as to know what were good to do, chapels had been churches, and poor men’s cottage princes’ palaces.”
The Merchant of Venice, Act I, Scene II
“Having nothing, nothing can he lose.”
William Shakespeare Quotes on Life Lessons – Henry VI, Act III, Scene 3
“God has given you one face, and you make yourself another.”
Hamlet, Act III, Scene I
“Speak low if you speak love.”
Much Ado About Nothing, Act II, Scene I
“I wasted time, and now doth time waste me.”
All’s Well that Ends Well, Act III, Scene V
“Love is a smoke raised with the fume of sighs.”
Romeo And Juliet, Act I, Scene I
“If music be the food of love, play on.”
Twelfth Night, Act I, Scene I
“To be, or not to be: that is the question.”
Twelfth Night, Act I, Scene I
“If we are true to ourselves, we can not be false to anyone.”
William Shakespeare, Hamlet
“Go wisely and slowly. Those who rush stumble and fall.”
William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
“Have more than you show, speak less than you know.”
“When a father gives to his son, both laugh; when a son gives to his father, both cry.”
William Shakespeare
“Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.”
William Shakespeare, The Merry Wives of Windsor
“The robbed that smiles steals something from the thief.”
William Shakespeare, Othello
“False face must hide what the false heart doth know.”
William Shakespeare, Macbeth
“Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.”
William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure
“The miserable have no other medicine, but only hope.”
William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure
Interesting William Shakespeare facts:
- William Shakespeare was born on 26th April 1564 and died on 23rd April 1616, aged 51 in Warwickshire, England.
- Whilst he is often referred to as simply ‘Shakespeare’ he is also often called ‘England’s national poet’ , ‘The Bard of Avon’, or simply as ‘The Bard’
- His work was extensive across his relatively short life consisting of 154 sonnets and 39 plays.
- He was born into a relatively affluent family of which his father, John Shakespeare was am alderman and his mother Mary Arden being the daughter of an affluent landowner.
- Shakespeare had three children together with Anne Hathaway – Susana, Hamnet and Judith.
- Shakespeare’s work can be found online for free. You can find the host site by clicking here
- Shakespeare has no living direct decedents. His daughter, Susanna, married in 1607 and had only one child, Elizabeth. Despite Elizabeth being married twice, she never had any children. Judith married and had three sons, however, one died in infancy and the other two both died unmarried. His son, Hamnet, died aged 11.
For a more in depth analysis of William Shakespeare Facts feel free to check out our recent look at 10 William Shakespeare facts that will shock you!
We hope you enjoyed this post of Shakespeare quotes on life lessons! If you did, you may also enjoy our other quote collections from Anne Frank, Henry Ford, and Benjamin Franklin.
I know some of Shakespeare’s quotes but not all of them – fascinating.
It was difficult to decide which ones exactly to post up on here. I hope you have gained something from the selection none the less 🙂
Yes!
Profound information about Shakespeare. Thanks for sharing.
This encourages me a lot. “To do a great right do a little wrong.”
W.Shakespeare
Sometimes it is necessary 🙂 Glad that this brought you some encouragement. Thank you for dropping by
I am lucky enough to live close to the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre and to be able to see their wonderful adaptations of his work. Sadly they are in lockdown at the moment and struggling like many of our theatres.
Thanks for visiting our page! Sounds interesting, I will have to check that one out.
This is beautiful! I think my favourite is “We know what we are, but know not what we may be”
Hi Kiki – thank you for your comments! Yes we never know what our future selves may look like – although, we sure can influence it.
Exactly!
Oh, these are fantastic! I hadn’t heard all of them before!
Thanks Cheryll – glad you enjoyed them!
William Shakespeare wrote the most profound pieces and quotes. Thank you for sharing.
Really are something else – very inspiring. Thanks for visiting
Beautiful compilation. May I request you also add the name of the Play it comes from? Thanks again for the great compilation- I am a huge fan of Willie Shakes 😃
Hi Airak !
That is a good idea – let me look into that this weekend
Love this. Thank you so much. And also for adding the fascinating details about his life.
Glad you enjoyed it 🙂 thank you
His words live on and are often quoted. Thank you for following my blog.
Cheers Quiall!