Today marks the 400th anniversary of the death of prominent English poet and playwright William Shakespeare.

He was known for writing many timeless classics, such as, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and Hamlet.

For me, Shakespeare’s stories introduced me to the realm of spirituality and emotions long before life did. Whenever I felt unable to express my feelings, I would find them within the depth of his eloquent words.

Through him, I have learned how to tap into my emotions and how to delineate them. I believe his stories opened a portal within me that was closed.

Through his 37 plays and 154 sonnets, he moved people and touched their souls with his characters. He simply proved to us that one is indeed capable of transcending time, culture, and space.

I believe it is quite important to study Shakespeare as his work is one of a kind. It is no wonder that he is regarded as the greatest writer in English literature—his exquisite work is simply immortal.

Today, as we celebrate his compelling characters and linguistic prowess, we must keep in mind the lessons that Shakespeare taught us through his stories. In Julius Caesar he teaches us how to take control of our destiny, in Romeo and Juliet we learn how to find beauty in goodbyes. In Othello we learn the virtue of patience.

Below are 16 of my favorite quotes from his remarkable work that shall never die:

“Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.”

“To mourn a mischief that is past and gone is the next way to draw new mischief on.”

“The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.”

“What’s done cannot be undone.”

“Be patient, for the world is broad and wide.”

“It is not in the Stars to hold our Destiny but in ourselves”

“Conscience doth make cowards of us all.”

“We know what we are, but know not what we may be.”

“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”

“Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.”

“Parting is such sweet sorrow.”

“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it it so.”

“Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.”

“Life is a tale, told by an idiot, full of sound and furry, signifying nothing.”

“Come what come may, time and the hour runs through the roughest day.”

“Are you sure that we are awake? It seems to me that yet we sleep, we dream.”

Shakespeare, it’s been 400 years since you had left planet Earth. However, the pulse of your words is still beating stronger than ever.

~

Author: Elyane Youssef

Editor: Travis May

Image: Movie Still