A list of quotes from Timon of Athens, a rarely performed Shakespeare tragedy that many critics think of as 'unfinished'.

A man with dark clothing and long hair has his arm around an older man, who is dressed in light grey clothing
John Woodvine and Michael Pennington in the 1999 production of Timon of Athens, directed by Gregory Doran
Photo by Donald Cooper © RSC Browse and license our images

The fire i’th' flint
Shows not till it be struck
(Poet, Act 1 Scene 1)

I am not of that feather to shake off
My friend when he must need me.
(Timon, Act 1 Scene 1)

Here's that which is too weak to be a sinner—
Honest water—which ne'er left man i'th’mire.
(Apemantus, Act 1 Scene 2)

Like madness is the glory of this life.
(Apemantus, Act 1 Scene 2)

Men shut their doors against a setting sun.
(Apemantus, Act 1 Scene 2)

Their blood is caked, ‘tis cold, it selfdom flows:
'Tis lack of kindly warmth they are not kind.
(Timon, Act 2 Scene 2)

Every man has his fault, and honesty is his.
(Lucullus, Act 3 Scene 1)

Nothing emboldens sin so much as mercy.
(First Senator, Act 3 Scene 6)

Timon will to the woods, where he shall find
Th’unkindest beast more kinder than mankind.
The gods confound — hear me, you good gods all —
Th’Athenians both within and out that wall,
And grant, as Timon grows, his hate may grow
To the whole race of mankind, high and low! Amen.
(Timon, Act 4 Scene 1)

'We have seen better days.'
(Flavius, Act 4 scene 2)

Strange, unusual blood,
When man’s worst sin is he does too much good!
(Flavius, Act 4 Scene 2)

Who seeks for better of thee, sauce his palate
With thy most operant poison!
(Timon, Act 4 Scene 3)

What beast couldst thou be that were not subject to a beast? And what a beast art thou already, that see’st not thy loss in transformation!
(Timon, Act 4 Scene 3)

The moon's an arrant thief, 
And her pale fire she snatches from the sun. 
(Timon, Act 4 Scene 3)

You are an alchemist, make gold of that.
(Timon, Act 5 Scene 1)

'Here lies a wretched corpse, of wretched soul bereft.
Seek not my name. A plague consume you wicked caitiffs left!
Here lie I, Timon, who alive all living men did hate:
Pass by and curse they fill, but pass and stay not here thy gait.'
(Alcibiades, Act 5 Scene 4)

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