Here are some well-known quotes from Richard III in the order in which they appear in the play:
Now is the winter of our discontent
Made glorious summer by this sun of York.
(Richard, Act 1 Scene 1)
Grim-visaged War hath smoothed his wrinkled front.
(Richard, Act 1 Scene 1)
This weak piping time of peace.
(Richard, Act 1 Scene 1)
And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover,
To entertain these fair well-spoken days,
I am determined to prove a villain
And hate the idle pleasures of these days.
(Richard, Act 1 Scene 1)
Was ever woman in this humour wooed?
Was ever woman in this humour won?
(Richard, Act 1 Scene 2)
Since every Jack became a gentleman
There's many a gentle person made a Jack.
(Richard, Act 1 Scene 3)
And thus I clothe my naked villany
With old odd ends stolen out of holy writ;
And seem a saint, when most I play the devil.
(Richard, Act 1 Scene 3)
So wise so young, they say, do never live long.
(Richard, Act 3 Scene 1)
Talk'st thou to me of 'ifs'? Thou art a traitor:
Off with his head!
(Richard, Act 3 Scene 4)
I am not in the giving vein to-day.
(Richard, Act 4 Scene 2)
Thou cam'st on earth to make the earth my hell.
(Richard, Act 4 Scene 4)
Bloody thou art, bloody will be thy end.
(Duchess of York, Act 4 Scene 4)
An honest tale speeds best, being plainly told.
(Richard, Act 4 Scene 4)
Harp not on that string.
(Richard, Act 4 Scene 4)
True hope is swift, and flies with swallow's wings;
Kings it makes gods, and meaner creatures kings.
(Richmond, Act 5 Scene 2)
Conscience is but a word that cowards use,
Devised at first to keep the strong in awe.
(Richard, Act 5 Scene 3)
The king's name is a tower of strength.
(Richard, Act 5 Scene 3)
My conscience hath a thousand several tongues,
And every tongue brings in a several tale,
And every tale condemns me for a villain.
(Richard, Act 5 Scene 3)
A horse! a horse! my kingdom for a horse!
(Richard, Act 5 Scene 4)
Compiled by Suzanne Worthington
Photo by Ellie Kurttz shows Hannah Barrie as Anne and Jonathan Slinger as Richard in Michael Boyd's 2007 production of Richard III © RSC