William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare – 23 April 1616) was an English poet, playwright, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet, and the "Bard of Avon". His extant works, including collaborations, consist of approximately 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and a few other verses, some of uncertain authorship. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionPlaywright
Date of Birth23 April 1564
I must have liberty Withal, as large a charter as the wind, To blow on whom I please, for so fools have.
Headstrong liberty is lashed with woe.
I am a subject, And I challenge law. Attorneys are denied me, And therefore personally I lay my claim To my inheritance of free descent.
When law can do no right, Let it be lawful that law bar no wrong.
Faith, I have been a truant in the law And never yet could frame my will to it, And therefore frame the law unto my will.
Too much to know is to know nought but fame; And every godfather can give a name.
Poise the cause in justice's equal scales, Whose beam stands sure, whose rightful cause prevails.
Justice always whirls in equal measure.
I beseech you, Wrest once the law to your authority: To do a great right, do a little wrong.
How many fond fools serve mad jealousy!
I'll never Be such a gosling to obey instinct, but stand As is a man were author of himself And knew no other kin.
Look what thy soul holds dear, imagine it To lie that way thou goest, not whence thou com'st. Suppose the singing birds musicians, The grass whereon thou tread'st the presence strewed, The flowers fair ladies, and thy steps no more Than a delight measure or a dance; For gnarling sorrow hath less power to bite The man that mocks at it and sets it light.
Greatness knows itself.
If I lose my honor, I lose myself: better I were not yours Than yours so branchless.