William Shakespeare

Farewell! a long farewell to all my greatness!

For by his face straight shall you know his heart.

The plants look up to heaven, from whence they have their nourishment.

There is no terror, Cassius, in your threats, For I am armed so strong in honesty That they pass by me as the idle wind

How wayward is this foolish love that, like a testy babe, will scratch the nurse and presently, all humble, kiss the rod.

To be direct and honest is not safe.

Good name in man and woman is the immediate jewel of their souls.

An honest tale speeds best being plainly told.

His heart as far from fraud as heaven from earth.

Honesty is the best policy. If I lose mine honor, I lose myself.

We do pray for mercy, and that same prayer doth teach us all to render the deeds of mercy.

The path is smooth that leadeth on to danger.

Being holiday, the beggar's shop is shut.

We must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures.

Most dear actors, eat no onions nor garlic, for we are to utter sweet breath.

And he goes through life, his mouth open, and his mind closed.

Let us sit and mock the good housewife Fortune from her wheel, that her gifts may henceforth be bestowed equally, I would we could do so for her benefits are mightily misplaced and the bountiful blind girl doth most mistake in her gifts to women. 'Tis true for those that she makes fair she scarce makes honest and those that she makes honest she makes very ill-favouredly. Nay, now thou goest from Fortunes office to Natures. Fortune reigns in gifts of the world, not in the lineaments of Nature.

Fortune reigns in gifts of the world.

My charity is outrage, life my shame; And in that shame still live my sorrow's rage!

Her virtues, graced with external gifts, Do breed love's settled passions in my heart; And like as rigour of tempestuous gusts Provokes the mightiest hulk against the tide, So am I driven by breath of her renown Either to suffer shipwreck or arrive Where I may have fruition of her love.

What though care killed a cat, thou hast mettle enough in thee to kill care.