Shakespeare coined many popular phrases that are still commonly used today. Here are some examples of Shakespeare’s most familiar quotes from The Merchant of Venice. You just might be surprised to learn of all the everyday sayings that originally came from Shakespeare!

“I hold the world but as the world, Gratiano, A stage, where every man must play a part; And mine a sad one. (Act I, Scene I)

“Superfluity comes sooner by white hairs, but competency lives longer.” (Act I, Scene II)

“I dote on his very absence.” (Act I, Scene II)

“I like not fair terms and a villain’s mind.” (Act I, scene III)

“The devil can cite scripture for his purpose.” (Act I, Scene III)

“Mislike me not for my complexion, The shadow’d livery of the burnish’d sun.” (Act II, Scene I)

“It is a wise father that knows his own child.” (Act II, Scene II)

“In the twinkling of an eye.” (Act II, Scene II)

“But love is blind, and lovers cannot see The pretty follies that themselves commit.” (Act II, Scene VI)

“All that glisters is not gold.” (Act II, Scene VII)

“If you prick us, do we not bleed? if you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you poison us, do we not die? and if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?” (Act III, Scene I)