Do you know this man? If you don't immediately recognize him, you have probably heard some of his work. Before his death at age 54, William Shakespeare wrote at least 37 plays and 154 sonnets. Perhaps his most recognized play is Romeo and Juliet.
You're probably wondering what a man who wrote plays in the 16th and 17th centuries could possibly have in common with you. He was a brilliant writer, and many of his words are still relevant today. Don't believe me? Check out this list of 11 of Shakespeare's quotes that you should apply to your life this year.
1. "Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none."
This quote is simple. You should love everyone you come in contact with. However, you do not always have to trust people. If someone has done you wrong, don't make the mistake of repeatedly allowing them to misuse you. Only trust those who are worthy of your trust. Still, even if you don't trust or like someone, you should never do wrong to anyone.
2. "We know what we are, but we know not what we may be."
All you are capable of knowing is your current situation. You know who you are today, but you don't know what your life may be tomorrow. Never give up. Each day is a new opportunity to make more of yourself. If you aren't satisfied with who you are, work hard to change it.
3. "It is not in the stars to hold our destiny, but in ourselves."
This quote follows along the same lines as the previous quote. Don't leave your life up to chance. You are the maker of your own future. You can be WHATEVER and WHOMEVER you want to be. So go out and make yourself proud.
4. "Better three hours too soon than a minute too late."
Listen to me. No one likes a person who can't be bothered to show up on time. Please don't be that person whom everyone is always waiting around for. Wouldn't you rather be the first person there? At least then you aren't wasting anyone's time. So I don't care how good your bed feels in the mornings. Get up. Get ready. Get going.
5. "What's past is prologue."
Do not, I repeat, do NOT waste your time dwelling on what happened in the past. Rather than being consumed with the thoughts of your past, use them as a springboard into your future. Start your new beginning TODAY. You never know where your story is headed.
6. "Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt."
Nothing good will ever come from doubting yourself. Doubt makes you afraid to try. If you don't try, you have a zero percent chance of succeeding. So don't get inside your own mind and convince yourself of all the bad things that "might" happen. Take the plunge into new opportunities. You won't regret it.
7. "One may smile, and smile, and be a villain."
Not everyone who puts on a pretty face is a nice person. Even the Joker had a smile on his face. You should never trust someone just because of the way they appear. Remember that even Satan was once an angel.
8. "Friendship is constant in all other things."
Hold tight to your true friends. When the whole world is falling down around you, they're going to be the ones who are right next to you holding your hand. There is nothing in this world more valuable than friendship.
9. "Never play with the feelings of others because you may win the game but the risk is that you will surely lose the person for a lifetime."
Playing with someone's feelings is never going to make you happy. You may "succeed" at making them feel bad, but the consequence is that you just lost that person's friendship forever. Treat other people with kindness. It really doesn't get much simpler than that.
10. "The earth has music for those who listen."
We all lead such busy lives that sometimes we forget to slow down. When we rush around doing whatever it is that we do, we miss the beauty that is all around us. Next time you're feeling stressed, slow down and listen to a bird's chirping or the leaves on the trees rustling. You have to take a minute every now and then to listen to the song that the earth is playing.
11. "This above all: to thine own self be true."
This is by far the most important quote on this list. If you only remember one thing about this, remember this quote. You HAVE to please yourself first. You can't let other people dictate what you do with your life. Be who you are. It's that simple. You will lead a sad and miserable life if you live it for someone else. So go make yourself happy!
The basic gist of this article is simple. Take these quotes by a 451-year-old man and apply them to your life. I promise you'll be a better person for it.
