The golden age is before us, not behind us.

Love sought is good, but given unsought, is better.

Speak low, if you speak love.

Sweet mercy is nobility's true badge.

Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful.

Men shut their doors against a setting sun.

As flies to wanton boys, are we to the gods; they kill us for their sport.

With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.

Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit, and lost without deserving.

'Tis not enough to help the feeble up, but to support them after.

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

The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.

Lawless are they that make their wills their law.

What is past is prologue.

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

Wisely, and slow. They stumble that run fast.

If it be a sin to covet honor, I am the most offending soul.

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

'Tis best to weigh the enemy more mighty than he seems.

Words without thoughts never to heaven go.

Ignorance is the curse of God; knowledge is the wing wherewith we fly to heaven.

Teach not thy lip such scorn, for it was made For kissing, lady, not for such contempt.

Heat not a furnace for your foe so hot that it do singe yourself.

Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall.

God hath given you one face, and you make yourselves another.

I like not fair terms and a villain's mind.

Children wish fathers looked but with their eyes; fathers that children with their judgment looked; and either may be wrong.

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

Most dangerous is that temptation that doth goad us on to sin in loving virtue.

Fishes live in the sea, as men do a-land; the great ones eat up the little ones.

The most peaceable way for you, if you do take a thief, is, to let him show himself what he is and steal out of your company.

How well he's read, to reason against reading!

I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano; A stage where every man must play a part, And mine is a sad one.

I say there is no darkness but ignorance.

Nature hath framed strange fellows in her time.

Hell is empty and all the devils are here.

Our peace shall stand as firm as rocky mountains.

Love is not love that alters when it alteration finds.

Fortune brings in some boats that are not steered.

Love is too young to know what conscience is.

Death is a fearful thing.

Where every something, being blent together turns to a wild of nothing.

The love of heaven makes one heavenly.

The empty vessel makes the loudest sound.

'Tis better to bear the ills we have than fly to others that we know not of.

Is it not strange that desire should so many years outlive performance?

O, had I but followed the arts!

Words, words, mere words, no matter from the heart.

Things done well and with a care, exempt themselves from fear.