The Seven Ages of Man

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms.
Then, the whining school-boy with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress' eyebrow. Then, a soldier,
Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden, and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon's mouth. And then, the justice,
In fair round belly, with a good capon lined,
With eyes severe, and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws, and modern instances,
And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slippered pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side,
His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.
(Jaques, Act 2 Scene 7)

More quotes from As You Like It

Well said, that was laid on with a trowel. 
(Celia, Act 1 Scene 2)

Thus must I from the smoke into the smother, 
From tyrant duke unto a tyrant brother
(Orlando, Act 1 Scene 2)

O, how full of briars is this working-day world! 
(Rosalind, Act 1 Scene 3)

Beauty provoketh thieves sooner than gold.
(Rosalind, Act 1 Scene 3)

Therefore my age is as a lusty winter, 
Frosty, but kindly. 
(Adam, Act 2 Scene 3)

In thy youth thou wast as true a lover 
As ever sighed upon a midnight pillow.
(Silvius, Act 2 Scene 4)

We that are true lovers run into strange capers.
(Touchstone, Act 2 Scene 4)

Thou speakest wiser than thou art ware of.
(Rosalind, Act 2 Scene 4)

Under the greenwood tree... 
(Amiens, Act 2 Scene 5)

I met a fool i’ the forest, 
A motley fool.
(Jaques, Act 2 Scene 7)

And thereby hangs a tale.
(Jaques, Act 2 Scene 7)

Do you not know I am a woman? When I think, I must speak. 
(Rosalind, Act 3 Scene 2)

Down on your knees, 
And thank heaven, fasting, for a good man's love. 
(Rosalind, Act 3 Scene 5)

I pray you do not fall in love with me, 
For I am falser than vows made in wine.
(Rosalind, Act 3 Scene 5)

Forever and a day. 
(Orlando, Act 4 Scene 1)

O, how bitter a thing it is to look into happiness through another man's eyes!
(Orlando, Act 5 Scene 2)