Mean Shakespeare Quotes

Category: Bitter

  • January 5

    January 5

    Self-Destructive Fool

    Why strew’st thou sugar on that bottled spider,
    Whose deadly web ensnareth thee about?
    Fool, fool! Thou whet’st a knife to kill thyself.

    -Richard III,
    Act I, Scene iii

  • January 4

    January 4

    Fading Ripples

    Men’s evil manners live in brass; their virtues
    We write in water.

    -Henry VIII,
    Act IV, Scene ii

  • December 30

    December 30

    Cynical Rationalization

    He was a fool;
    For he would needs be virtuous…Learn this, brother,
    We live not to be grip’d by meaner persons.

    –Henry VIII,
    Act II, Scene ii

  • December 29

    December 29

    Then and Now

    There is scarce truth enough alive to make societies secure;
    but security enough to make fellowships accurst:
    much upon this riddle runs the wisdom of the world.
    This news is old enough, yet it is every day’s news.

    -Measure for Measure,
    Act III, Scene ii

  • December 26

    December 26

    Unrepentant

    I have done a thousand dreadful things
    As willingly as one would kill a fly,
    And nothing grieves me heartily indeed
    But that I cannot do ten thousand more.

    -Titus Andronicus,
    Act V Scene i

  • December 21

    December 21

    Cold Curses

    Well could I curse away a winter’s night.
    Though standing naked on a mountain top,
    Where biting cold would never let grass grow,
    And think it but a minute spent in sport.

    -Henry VI Part 2,
    Act III, Scene ii

  • December 18

    December 18

    Corrupted Currents

    May one be pardoned and retain th’ offense?
    In the corrupted currents of this world,
    Offense’s gilded hand may shove by justice,
    And oft ’tis seen the wicked prize itself
    Buys out the law.

    –Hamlet,
    Act III, Scene iii