“If you cannot understand my argument, and declare "It's Greek to me", you are quoting Shakespeare; if you claim to be more sinned against than sinning, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you recall your salad days, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you act more in sorrow than in anger; if your wish is farther to the thought; if your lost property has vanished into thin air, you are quoting Shakespeare; if you have ever refused to budge an inch or suffered from green-eyed jealousy, if you have played fast and loose, if you have been tongue-tied, a tower of strength, hoodwinked or in a pickle, if you have knitted your brows, made a virtue of necessity, insisted on fair play, slept not one wink, stood on ceremony, danced attendance (on your lord and master), laughed yourself into stitches, had short shrift, cold comfort or too much of a good thing, if you have seen better days or lived in a fool's paradise -why, be that as it may, the more fool you , for it is a foregone conclusion that you are (as good luck would have it) quoting Shakespeare; if you think it is early days and clear out bag and baggage, if you think it is high time and that that is the long and short of it, if you believe that the game is up and that truth will out even if it involves your own flesh and blood, if you lie low till the crack of doom because you suspect foul play, if you have your teeth set on edge (at one fell swoop) without rhyme or reason, then - to give the devil his due - if the truth were known (for surely you have a tongue in your head) you are quoting Shakespeare; even if you bid me good riddance and send me packing, if you wish I was dead as a door-nail, if you think I am an eyesore, a laughing stock, the devil incarnate, a stony-hearted villain, bloody-minded or a blinking idiot, then - by Jove! O Lord! Tut tut! For goodness' sake! What the dickens! But me no buts! - it is all one to me, for you are quoting Shakespeare.”
Explore This Quote Further
Quote Analysis
In this quote by Bernard Levin, he humorously points out the numerous common phrases and expressions that we use in everyday language that actually originate from the works of William Shakespeare. By listing out these phrases in a light-hearted manner, Levin emphasizes the enduring legacy of Shakespeare's language and the influence that it continues to have on modern English. This quote serves as a playful reminder of the vast impact that Shakespeare's works have had on our language and culture.
Modern Relevance
In this quote by Bernard Levin, he humorously highlights the immense influence William Shakespeare has had on the English language and common expressions. Even today, many phrases and sayings we use can be traced back to Shakespeare's works, showing the enduring impact of his writing on our everyday speech.
Example of Usage:
In his famous quote, Bernard Levin beautifully demonstrates how many common phrases and expressions we use today actually originated from Shakespeare's works. This excerpt showcases Shakespeare's lasting influence on the English language, with phrases like "green-eyed jealousy" and "laughed yourself into stitches" still being widely used in modern conversation.
Reflection Questions:
In this quote by Bernard Levin, he explores the many common phrases and expressions that we use in our daily lives that actually originate from Shakespeare's works. Reflect on the following questions:
- How does it make you feel knowing that so many everyday phrases come from Shakespeare's writings?
- Have you ever quoted Shakespeare without realizing it?
- Do you think Shakespeare's impact on language and culture is still relevant today?
- How does this quote remind you of the timeless nature of Shakespeare's work?
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