The best quotes by the author we have brought to you
“A beastly ambition, which the gods grant thee t’
William Shakespeare
attain to! If thou wert the lion, the fox would
beguile thee; if thou wert the lamb, the fox would
eat three: if thou wert the fox, the lion would
suspect thee, when peradventure thou wert accused by
the ass: if thou wert the ass, thy dullness would
torment thee, and still thou livedst but as a
breakfast to the wolf: if thou wert the wolf, thy
greediness would afflict thee, and oft thou shouldst
hazard thy life for thy dinner: wert thou the
unicorn, pride and wrath would confound thee and
make thine own self the conquest of thy fury: wert
thou a bear, thou wouldst be killed by the horse:
wert thou a horse, thou wouldst be seized by the
leopard: wert thou a leopard, thou wert German to
the lion and the spots of thy kindred were jurors on
thy life: all thy safety were remotion and thy
defence absence. What beast couldst thou be, that
were not subject to a beast? and what a beast art
thou already, that seest not thy loss in
transformation!” (Timon of Athens Quotes)
Timon of Athens
“I’ll example you with thievery:
William Shakespeare
The sun’s a thief, and with his great attraction
Robs the vast sea; the moon’s an arrant thief,
And her pale fire she snatches from the sun;
The sea’s a thief, whose liquid surge resolves
The moon into salt tears; the earth’s a thief,
That feeds and breeds by a composture stolen
From general excrement: each thing’s a thief.”
Timon of Athens
“I’m worse than mad: I have kept back their foes,
William Shakespeare
While they have told their money and let out
Their coin upon large interest, I myself
Rich only in large hurts. All those for this?
Is this the balsam that the usuring senate
Pours into captains’ wounds? Banishment!”
Timon of Athens
“Like madness is the glory of this life.”
William Shakespeare
Timon of Athens
“Lips, let sour words go by and language end:
William Shakespeare
What is amiss plague and infection mend!
Graves only be men’s works and death their gain!
Sun, hide thy beams! Timon hath done his reign.”
Timon of Athens
“Men must learn now with pity to dispense;
William Shakespeare
For policy sits above conscience.” (Timon of Athens Quotes)
Timon of Athens
“O my good lord, the world is but a word:
William Shakespeare
Were it all yours to give it in a breath,
How quickly were it gone!”
Timon of Athens
“The moon’s an arrant thief, And her pale fire she snatches from the sun.”
William Shakespeare
Timon of Athens
“This is in thee a nature but infected;
William Shakespeare
A poor unmanly melancholy sprung
From change of fortune. Why this spade? this place?
This slave-like habit? and these looks of care?
Thy flatterers yet wear silk, drink wine, lie soft;
Hug their diseased perfumes, and have forgot
That ever Timon was. Shame not these woods,
By putting on the cunning of a carper.
Be thou a flatterer now, and seek to thrive
By that which has undone thee: hinge thy knee,
And let his very breath, whom thou’lt observe,
Blow off thy cap; praise his most vicious strain,
And call it excellent: thou wast told thus;
Thou gavest thine ears like tapsters that bid welcome
To knaves and all approachers: ’tis most just
That thou turn rascal; hardest thou wealth again,
Rascals should have ‘t. Do not assume my likeness.”
Timon of Athens
“Who lives that’s not depraved or depraves?
William Shakespeare
Who dies, that bears not one spurn to their graves
Of their friends’ gift?
I should fear those that dance before me now
Would one day stamp upon me: ‘t has been done;
Men shut their doors against a setting sun.”
Timon of Athens
“Why, this is the world’s soul; and just of the
William Shakespeare
same piece
Is every flatterer’s spirit. Who can call him
His friend that dips in the same dish? for, in
My knowing, Timon has been this lord’s father,
And kept his credit with his purse,
Supported his estate; nay, Timon’s money
Has paid his men their wages: he ne’er drinks,
But Timon’s silver treads upon his lip;
And yet — O, see the monstrousness of man
When he looks out in an ungrateful shape!—
He does deny him, in respect of his,
What charitable men afford to beggars.”
Timon of Athens
