Quotes from Measure for Measure

14 notable lines from William Shakespeare · c. 1604

But man, proud man, Drest in a little brief authority, Most ignorant of what he's most assured, His glassy essence, like an angry ape, Plays such fantastic tricks before high heaven As make the angels weep.

Isabella, Act II, Scene 2

  1. O, it is excellent to have a giant's strength, but it is tyrannous to use it like a giant.

    Isabella, Measure for Measure

  2. O, it is excellent To have a giant's strength; but it is tyrannous To use it like a giant.

    Isabella, Act II, Scene 2

  3. Haste still pays haste, and leisure answers leisure; Like doth quit like, and measure still for measure.

    Duke Vincentio, Act V, Scene 1

  4. Ay, but to die, and go we know not where; To lie in cold obstruction and to rot.

    Claudio, Act III, Scene 1

  5. The miserable have no other medicine but only hope.

    Claudio, Measure for Measure

  6. Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall.

    Escalus, Measure for Measure

  7. Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win By fearing to attempt.

    Lucio, Act I, Scene 4

  8. Be absolute for death; either death or life Shall thereby be the sweeter.

    Duke Vincentio, Act III, Scene 1

  9. The tempter or the tempted, who sins most?

    Angelo, Act II, Scene 2

  10. 'Tis one thing to be tempted, Escalus, Another thing to fall.

    Angelo, Act II, Scene 1

  11. No ceremony that to great ones 'longs, Not the king's crown, nor the deputed sword, The marshal's truncheon, nor the judge's robe, Become them with one half so good a grace As mercy does.

    Isabella, Act II, Scene 2

  12. Virtue is bold, and goodness never fearful.

    Duke Vincentio, Act III, Scene 1

  13. They say, best men are moulded out of faults; And, for the most, become much more the better For being a little bad.

    Mariana, Act V, Scene 1