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Shakespeare Quotes from The Merchant of Venice
I dote on his very absence, and I wish them a fair departure.— filed under Absence
Give me your gloves, I'll wear them for your sake.— filed under Apparel
I see, Sir, you are liberal in offers: You taught me first to beg; and now, methinks, You teach me how a beggar should be answer'd.— filed under Belief
The crow doth sing as sweetly as the lark When neither is attended.— filed under Birds-Cuckoo
Martlet. The martlet Builds in the weather on the outward wall, Even in the force and road of casualty.— filed under Birds-Lark
The angel of spring, the mellow-throated nightingale. Sappho. Fragm. 39. The nightingale, if she should sing by day, When every goose is cackling, would be thought No better a musician than the wren. How many things by season season'd are To their right praise, and true perfection!— filed under Birds-Nightingale
But love is blind, and lovers cannot see The pretty follies that themselves commit;— filed under Blindness
We turn'd o'er many books together:— filed under Books
What thou wouldst highly, That wouldst thou holily; wouldst not play false, And yet wouldst wrongly win. n. Macbeth. Act 1. Sc. 5. L. 21. When he is best, he is a little worse than a man, and when he is worst, he is little better than a beast.— filed under Character
Stobæus. I had rather crack my sinews, break my back, Than you should such dishonour undergo. Tempest. Act. III. Sc. 1. L. 26. I will not choose what many men desire, Because I will not jump with common spirits, And rank me with the barbarous multitudes.— filed under Choice
For in converting Jews to Christians, you raise the price of pork.— filed under Christian
If thou keep promise, I shall end this strife, Become a Christian and thy loving wife.— filed under Christian
I hate him for he is a Christian.— filed under Christian
My daughter! O, my ducats! O, my daughter! Fled with a Christian! O my Christian ducats.— filed under Christian
O father Abram, what these Christians are, Whose own hard dealings teaches them suspect The thoughts of others.— filed under Christian
Plant neighborhood and Christian-like accord In their sweet bosoms. S. Henry V. Act 5. Sc. 2. L. 381. The Hebrew will turn Christian: he grows kind.— filed under Christian
This making of Christians will raise the price of hogs: if we grow all to be pork-eaters, we shall not shortly have a rasher on the coals for money. и.— filed under Christian
He is well paid that is well satisfied.— filed under Content
How many cowards, whose hearts are all as false As stairs of sand, wear yet upon their chins The beards of Hercules and frowning Mars, Who, inward search' d, have livers white as milk. S.— filed under Cowardice-Cowards
All that glisters is not gold; Often have you heard that told; Many a man his life hath sold But my outside to behold.— filed under Deceit
An evil soul producing holy witness Is like a villain with a smiling cheek; A goodly apple rotten at the heart: O, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!— filed under Deceit
The world is still deceiv'd with ornament, In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt, But, being season'd with a gracious voice, Obscures the show of evil? In religion, What damned error, but some sober brow Will bless it and approve it with a text, Hiding the grossness with fair ornament?— filed under Deceit
How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world.— filed under Deeds
When I shun Scylla, your father, I fall into Charybdis, your mother.— filed under Destiny
Let me say amen" betimes, lest the devil cross my prayer.— filed under Dew
Let none presume To wear an undeserved dignity.— filed under Disappointment
Sometime she driveth o'er a soldier's neck, And then dreams he of cutting foreign throats, Of breaches, ambuscadoes, Spanish blades, Of healths five-fathom deep. Romeo and Juliet. Act 1. Sc. 4. L. 82. There is some ill a-brewing towards my rest, For I did dream of money-bags to-night.— filed under Dreams
At dinner-time, I pray you, have in mind where we must meet.— filed under Eating
They are as sick that surfeit with too much, as they that starve with nothing.— filed under Eating
No metal can, No, not the hangman's axe, bear half the keenness Of thy sharp envy.— filed under Envy
You cannot better be employ'd, Bassanio, Than to live still and write mine epitaph.— filed under Epitaph
Sometimes from her eyes I did receive fair speechless messages. น.— filed under Eyes
Set on your foot, And with a heart new-fir'd I follow you, To do I know not what: but it sufficeth That Brutus leads me on. Julius Cæsar. Act II. Sc. 1. L. 331. Thou almost makest me waver in my faith To hold opinion with Pythagoras, That souls of animals infuse themselves Into the trunks of men.— filed under Faith
Oh, what a goodly outside falsehood hath!— filed under Falsehood
Tell me where is fancy bred, Or in the heart or in the head? How begot, how nourished? Reply, reply. It is engender'd in the eyes, With gazing fed; and fancy dies In the cradle where it lies.— filed under Fancy
Who riseth from a feast With that keen appetite that he sits down?— filed under Festivities
The fool hath planted in his memory An army of good words; and I do know A many fools, that stand in better place, Garnish'd like him, that for a tricksy word Defy the matter.— filed under Folly
When did friendship take A breed for barren metal of his friend?— filed under Friendship
Men that hazard all Do it in hope of fair advantages: A golden mind stoops not to shows of dross.— filed under Gain
I freely told you, all the wealth I had Ran in my veins, I was a gentleman.— filed under Gentlemen
When the moon shone, we did not see the candle; So doth the greater glory dim the less.— filed under Glory
My meaning in saying he is a good man is to have you understand me that he is sufficient.— filed under Gossip
If my gossip Report be an honest woman of Nothing's more dull and negligent her word.— filed under Gossip
Gilded tombs do worms infold.— filed under Gratitude
And her sunny locks Hang on her temples like a golden fleece.— filed under Hair
How like a fawning publican he looks! I hate him for he is a Christian, But more for that in low simplicity He lends out money gratis and brings down The rate of usance here with us in Venice.— filed under Hatred
Let none presume To wear an undeserv'd dignity. O, that estates, degrees and offices Were not deriv'd corruptly, and that clear honour Were purchas'd by the merit of the wearer!— filed under Honor
If I should marry him, I should marry twenty husbands.— filed under Husband
This was the most unkindest cut of all; For when the noble Cæsar saw him stab Ingratitude, more strong than traitor's arms, Quite vanquish'd him; then burst his mighty heart; And, in his mantle muffling up his face, Even at the base of Pompey's statue, Which all the while ran blood, great Cæsar fell. Julius Cæsar. Act III. Sc. 2. L. 187. What, would'st thou have a serpent sting thee twice?— filed under Ingratitude
This is the Jew That Shakespeare drew. Attributed to POPE. See Biographia Dramatica. Vol. I. P. 469. I am a Jew: Hath not a Jew eyes? hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions? fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer, as a Christian is?— filed under Jews
I wish you all the joy that you can wish.— filed under Joy
It doth appear you are a worthy judge; You know the law; your exposition Hath been most sound.— filed under Judges
To offend, and judge, are distinct offices And of opposed natures.— filed under Judgment
Sympathy in Gladness. A Daniel come to judgment! yea, a Daniel.— filed under Judgment
I charge you by the law, Whereof you are a well deserving pillar, Proceed to judgment.— filed under Judgment
He shall have merely justice and his bond.— filed under Justice
This bond is forfeit; And lawfully by this the Jew may claim A pound of flesh.— filed under Justice
Thyself shalt see the act: For, as thou urgest justice, be assur'd Thou shalt have justice more than thou desir'st.— filed under Justice
But the full sum of me *** Is an unlesson'd girl, unschool'd, unpractis'd; Happy in this, she is not yet so old But she may learn. C.— filed under Knowledge
And swearing till my very roof was dry— filed under Love
But love is blind, and lovers cannot see The pretty follies that themselves commit.— filed under Love
Yet I have not seen So likely an ambassador of love; A day in April never came so sweet, To show how costly summer was at hand, As this fore-spurrer comes before his lord.— filed under Love
God made him, and therefore let him pass for a man.— filed under Man
As are those dulcet sounds in break of day That creep into the dreaming bridegroom's ear And summon him to marriage.— filed under Matrimony
Happiest of all, is, that her gentle spirit Commits itself to yours to be directed, As from her lord, her governor, her king.— filed under Matrimony
The quality of mercy is not strain'd; It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest; It blesseth him that gives and him that takes; 'Tis mightiest in the mightiest; it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown; His sceptre shows the force of temporal power, The attribute to awe and majesty, Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings; But mercy is above this sceptred sway; It is enthroned in the hearts of kings, It is an attribute to God himself; And earthly power doth then show likest God's When mercy seasons justice.— filed under Mercy
We do pray for mercy; And that same prayer doth teach us all to render The deeds of mercy.— filed under Mercy
O, that estates, degrees and offices Were not deriv'd corruptly, and that clear honour Were purchas'd by the merit of the wearer.— filed under Merit
With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come, And let my liver rather heat with wine Than my heart cool with mortifying groans.— filed under Midnight
How slow This old moon wanes! she lingers my desires, Like to a step-dame or a dowager Long withering out a young man's revenue. S. Midsummer-Night's Dream. Act I. Sc. 1. L. 3. How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank.— filed under Monuments
How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank! Here will we sit and let the sounds of music Creep in our ears: soft stillness, and the night Become the touches of sweet harmony.— filed under Music
Let music sound while he doth make his choice; Then, if he lose, he makes a swan-like end, Fading in music.— filed under Music
The man that hath no music in himself, Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, Is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils.— filed under Music
An oath, an oath, I have an oath in heaven: Shall I lay perjury upon my soul? No, not for Venice.— filed under Oaths
And jewels, two stones, two rich and precious stones, Stol'n by my daughter!— filed under Occupations-Jeweler
A quarrel *** About a hoop of gold, a paltry ring.— filed under Occupations-Jeweler
In law, what plea so tainted and corrupt But, being season'd with a gracious voice, Obscures the show of evil?— filed under Occupations-Law
It must not be; there is no power in Venice Can alter a decree established: 'Twill be recorded for a precedent; And many an error by the same example Will rush into the state.— filed under Occupations-Law
To offend, and judge, are distinct offices. And of opposed natures.— filed under Occupations-Law
When I am in my coach, which stays for us At the park gate.— filed under Occupations-Law
In such a night Medea gather'd the enchanted herbs That did renew old Æson.— filed under Occupations-Medicine
Losses, That have of late so huddled on his back, Enow to press a royal merchant down And pluck commiseration of his state From brassy bosoms and rough hearts of flint.— filed under Occupations-Mercantile
What demi-god Hath come so near creation?— filed under Occupations-Painting
Here are a few of the unpleasant'st words That ever blotted paper!— filed under Occupations-Post
C. Let me hear from thee by letters. Two Gentlemen of Verona. Act I. Sc. 1. L. 57. Tell him there's a post come from my master, with his horn full of good news.— filed under Occupations-Post
It is a good divine that follows his own instructions; I can easier teach twenty what were good to be done, than be one of the twenty to follow mine own teaching.— filed under Occupations-Preaching
The barber's man hath been seen with him, and the old ornament of his cheek hath already stuffed tennis-balls. Much Ado About Nothing. Act III. Sc. 2. L. 45. What a beard hast thou got! thou hast got more hair on thy chin than Dobbin my fillhorse has on his tail.— filed under Occupations-Tonsorial
I am Sir Oracle, And when I ope my lips let no dog bark!— filed under Oracle
I do oppose My patience to his fury, and am arm'd To suffer, with a quietness of spirit, The very tyranny and rage of his.— filed under Patience
Sufferance is the badge of all our tribe.— filed under Patience
How many things by season season'd are To their right praise and true perfection!— filed under Perfection
0, that estates, degrees, and offices Were not deriv'd corruptly, and that clear honour Were purchased by the merit of the wearer!— filed under Politics
It is still her use To let the wretched man outlive his wealth, To view with hollow eye and wrinkled brow An age of poverty.— filed under Poverty
Thou wilt say anon he is some kin to thee, Thou spend'st such high-day wit in praising him.— filed under Praise
Fast bind, fast find; A proverb never stale in thrifty mind.— filed under Proverbs
Hanging and wiving goes by destiny.— filed under Proverbs
I have you on the hip.— filed under Proverbs
It is a wise father that knows his own child. aa.— filed under Proverbs
In my school days, when I had lost one shaft, I shot his fellow of the self-same flight The self-same way with more advised watch, To find the other forth, and by adventuring both I oft found both.— filed under Prudence
The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.— filed under Rain
Good reasons must, of force, give place to better. Julius Cæsar. Act IV. Sc. 3. L. 203. Bk. II. His reasons are two grains of wheat hid in two bushels of chaff; you shall seek all day ere you find them; and when you have them, they are not worth the search.— filed under Reason
In religion, What damned error, but some sober brow Will bless it and approve it with a text. C.— filed under Religion
Vengeance to God alone belongs; But, when I think of all my wrongs, My blood is liquid flame! 0. ScoTT-Marmion. Canto VI. St. 7. If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility? Revenge. If a Christian wrong a Jew, whatshould his sufferance be by Christian example? Why, revenge.— filed under Reverence
If I can catch him once upon the hip, I will feed fat the ancient grudge I bear him.— filed under Reverence
If it will feed nothing else, it will feed my revenge.— filed under Reverence
Now, infidel, I have you on the hip.— filed under Reverence
Dinner given to the French Soldiers in the Opera Salon at Versailles, Oct. 1, 1789. A substitute shines brightly as a king Until a king be by, and then his state Empties itself, as doth an inland brook Into the main of waters.— filed under Royalty
Some there be that shadows kiss; Such have but a shadow's bliss. S.— filed under Shakespeare
Silence is only commendable In a neat's tongue dried and a maid not vendible.— filed under Silence
You have among you many a purchas'd slave, Which, like your asses and your dogs and mules, You use in abject and in slavish parts, Because you bought them.— filed under Slavery
But I pray you, let none of your people stir me: I have an exposition of sleep come upon me. Midsummer-Night's Dream. Act IV. Sc. 1. L. 42. Fast asleep? It is no matter; Enjoy the honey-heavy dew of slumber; Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies, Which busy care draws in the brains of men; Therefore thou sleep'st so sound. Julius Cæsar. Act II. Sc. 1. L. 229. He sleeps by day More than the wild-cat.— filed under Sleep
Look how the floor of heaven Is thick inlaid with patines of bright gold: There's not the smallest orb which thou behold'st But in his motion like an angel sings, Still quiring to the young-ey'd cherubins: Such harmony is in immortal souls; But whilst this muddy vesture of decay Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it.— filed under Stars
These blessed candles of the night.— filed under Stars
No, pray thee, let it serve for table-talk; Then, howsoe'er thou speak'st, 'mong other things I shall digest it.— filed under Tea
The brain may devise laws for the blood; but a hot temper leaps o'er a cold decree: such a hare is madness the youth, to skip o'er the meshes of good counsel, the cripple.— filed under Temper
Smith's trans. At Learning's fountain it is sweet to drink, But 'tis a nobler privilege to think. J. G. SAXE The Library. Still are the thoughts to memory dear, k. Scott-Rokeby. Canto I. St. 33. A maiden hath no tongue but thought.— filed under Thought
We should hold day with the Antipodes, If you would walk in absence of the sun.— filed under Time
There is no vice so simple but assumes Some mark of virtue on his outward parts. S.— filed under Victory
Sir, you are very welcome to our house: It must appear in other ways than words, Therefore I scant this breathing courtesy.— filed under Welcome
A light wife doth make a heavy husband.— filed under Wife
Happy in this, she is not ret so old But she may learn; happier than this, She is not bred so dull but she can learn; Happiest of all is, that her gentle spirit Commits itself to yours to be directed.— filed under Wife
Be merry, and employ your chiefest thoughts To courtship and such fair ostents of love As shall conveniently become you there.— filed under Wooing
Here are a few of the unpleasant'st words That ever blotted paper!— filed under Words
Madam, you have bereft me of all words, . Sc. Only my blood speaks to you in my veins.— filed under Words
I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano: A stage where every man must play a part.— filed under Work