But man, proud man, Dress'd in a little brief authority, Most ignorant of what he's most assur'd — His glassy essence — like an angry ape Plays such … - William Shakespeare

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Engraved portrait of William Shakespeare, facing left

But man, proud man,
Dress'd in a little brief authority,
Most ignorant of what he's most assur'd — His glassy essence — like an angry ape
Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven
As makes the angels weep; who, with our spleens,
Would all themselves laugh mortal.

English
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About William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare (26 April 1564 (baptised) – 23 April 1616) was an English poet, playwright, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist.

Biography information from Wikiquote · Portrait adapted from Wikimedia Commons, Attributed to John Taylor (Public domain / CC0)

Also Known As

Also Known As: The Bard of Avon
Alternative Names: The Bard Swan of Avon Bard of Avon Shakespeare William Shakspere Shakespere Shakespear Shakspeare Shackspeare Shakspere William Shakspeare William Shake‐speare William Shak‐ſpeare William Shake-speare William Shak-ſpeare

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Additional quotes by William Shakespeare

Well, in that hit you miss. She'll not be hit
With Cupid's arrow. She hath Dian's wit,
And, in strong proff of chastity well armed,
From Love's weak childish bow she lives uncharmed.
She will not stay the siege of loving terms,
Nor bide th' encounter of assailing eyes,
Nor ope her lap to saint-seducing gold.
O, she is rich in beauty; only poor
That, when she dies, with dies her store.
Act 1,Scene 1, lines 180-197

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This goodly frame, the earth, seems to me a sterile promontory, this most excellent canopy, the air, look you, this brave o'erhanging firmament, this majestical roof fretted with golden fire, why, it appears no other thing to me than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours. What a piece of work is a man! how noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how express and admirable! in action how like an angel! in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the world! the paragon of animals! And yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust?

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