Shakespeare 400th anniversary: Top quotes to remember the Bard of Avon

The world will remember William Shakespeare, the greatest English poet, playwright and actor, on his 400th death anniversary on 23 April. Though "The Bard", as he is known, died in 1616, his literature echoes even today as his writings touch every human emotion even in the modern world.

To commemorate the Bard of Avon's death anniversary, IBTimes UK has compiled some of his greatest quotes.

1. Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.

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

3. Reputation is an idle and most false imposition; oft got without merit, and lost without deserving.

4. This life, which had been the tomb of his virtue and of his honour, is but a walking shadow; a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more: it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.

5. Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind; and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.

6. To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.

7. Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.

8. Why, what should be the fear? I do not set my life at a pin's fee.

9. O gentlemen, the time of life is short!
To spend that shortness basely were too long,
If life did ride upon a dial's point,
Still ending at the arrival of an hour.

10. These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder
Which, as they kiss, consume.

11. Some are born great, others achieve greatness.

12. I cannot tell what you and other men
Think of this life; but, for my single self,
I had as lief not be as live to be
In awe of such a thing as I myself.

13. Sweet are the uses of adversity
Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous,
Wears yet a precious jewel in his head.

14. Good name in man and woman, dear my lord,
Is the immediate jewel of their souls:
Who steals my purse steals trash; 'tis something, nothing;
'twas mine, 'tis his, and has been slave to thousands;
But he that filches from me my good name
Robs me of that which not enriches him,
And makes me poor indeed.

15. The course of true love never did run smooth.

16. Love is like a child, That longs for everything it can come by.

17. Come what sorrow can, It cannot countervail the exchange of joy, That one short minute gives me in her sight.

18. Doubt that the stars are fire, Doubt that the sun doth move his aides, Doubt truth to be a liar, But never doubt I love.

19. Oh, how this spring of love resembleth, The uncertain glory of an April day, Which now shows all beauty of the Sun, And by and by a cloud takes all away.

20. This bud of love by summer's ripening breath, May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet.