Quotes to inspire and reflect

The lamb will never cease to follow him.

Now join your hands, and with your hands your hearts.

For many men that stumble at the threshold Are well foretold that danger lurks within.

What fates impose, that men must needs abide; It boots not to resist both wind and tide.

Hasty marriage seldom proveth well.

Having nothing, nothing can he lose.

For how can tyrants safely govern home, Unless abroad they purchase great alliance?

Like one that stands upon a promontory, And spies a far-off shore where he would tread, Wishing his foot were equal with his eye.

To fortune’s yoke, but let thy dauntless mind Still ride in triumph over all mischance.

My crown is in my heart, not on my head; Not deck’d with diamonds and Indian stones, Nor to be seen: my crown is call’d content; A crown it is that seldom kings enjoy.

And what makes robbers bold but too much lenity?

That things ill got had ever bad success?

Thou [Death] setter up and plucker down of kings. 3

To weep is to make less the depth of grief.

The smallest worm will turn being trodden on.

O tiger’s heart wrapp’d in a woman’s hide!

Beggars mounted run their horse to death. 2

True nobility is exempt from fear.

Small things make base men proud.

The gaudy, blabbing, and remorseful day Is crept into the bosom of the sea.

Forbear to judge, for we are sinners all. Close up his eyes, and draw the curtain close; And let us all to meditation.

What stronger breastplate than a heart untainted! Thrice is he arm’d that hath his quarrel just, And he but naked, though lock’d up in steel, Whose conscience with injustice is corrupted.

He dies, and makes no sign.

In thy face I see The map of honor, truth, and loyalty.

Now ’tis the spring, and weeds are shallow-rooted; Suffer them now and they’ll o’ergrow the garden.

God defend the right!

Sometimes hath the brightest day a cloud; And after summer evermore succeeds Barren winter, with his wrathful nipping cold: So cares and joys abound, as seasons fleet.

Now, God be prais’d, that to believing souls Gives light in darkness, comfort in despair!

Blessed are the peacemakers on earth.

Could I come near your beauty with my nails I’d set my ten commandments in your face.

’Tis not my speeches that you do mislike, But ’tis my presence that doth trouble ye. Rancor will out.

For what is wedlock forced, but a hell, An age of discord and continual strife? Whereas the contrary bringeth bliss, And is a pattern of celestial peace.

She’s beautiful and therefore to be woo’d, She is a woman, therefore to be won.

Of all base passions, fear is most accurs’d.

Delays have dangerous ends.

Chok’d with ambition of the meaner sort.

Just death, kind umpire of men’s miseries.

Between two hawks, which flies the higher pitch; Between two dogs, which hath the deeper mouth; Between two blades, which bears the better temper; Between two horses, which doth bear him best; Between two girls, which hath the merriest eye; I have perhaps, some shallow spirit of judgment; But in these nice sharp quillets of the law, Good faith, I am no wiser than a daw.

I’ll note you in my book of memory.

Unbidden guests Are often welcomest when they are gone.

Glory is like a circle in the water, Which never ceaseth to enlarge itself, Till by broad spreading it disperse to nought.

Fight till the last gasp.

Expect Saint Martin’s summer, halcyon days.

Hung be the heavens with black, yield day to night!

Cut is the branch that might have grown full straight, And burned is Apollo’s laurel bough, That sometime grew within this learned man.

O soul, be changed into little waterdrops, And fall into the ocean—ne’er to be found. My God! my God! look not so fierce on me!

I’ll burn my books!

O lente, lente currite noctis equi: 7 [Slowly, slowly run, O horses of the night:] The stars move still, time runs, the clock will strike, The Devil will come, and Faustus must be damned. O, I’ll leap up to my God! Who pulls me down? See, see where Christ’s blood streams in the firmament! One drop would save my soul—half a drop: ah, my Christ!