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
The language I have learnt these forty years, My native English, now I must forgo; And now my tongue's use is to me no more Than an unstringed viol or a harp, Or like a cunning instrument cased up Or, being open, put into his hands That knows no touch to tune the harmony.
In limited professions there's boundless theft.
Do not give dalliance too much rein; the strongest oaths are straw to the fire in the blood.
Great men should drink with harness on their throats.
Make less thy body hence, and more thy grace. Leave gormandizing.
Ask God for temp'rance. That's th' appliance only Which your disease requires.
Coal-black is better than another hue In that it scorns to bear another hue; For all the water in the ocean Can never turn the swan's black legs to white, Although she lave them hourly in the flood.
And the more pity that great folk should have count'nance in this world to drown or hang themselves more than their even-Christen.
Against self-slaughter There is a prohibition so divine That cravens my weak hand.
Study is like the heaven's glorious sun, That will not be deep-searched with saucy looks: Small have continual plodders ever won, Save base authority from others' books.
Robust grass endures mighty winds; loyal ministers emerge through ordeal.
When clouds are seen wise men put on their cloaks; When great leaves fall then winter is at hand.
This world to me is like a lasting storm,Whirring me from my friends.
Base is the slave that pays.