There are many well-known quotes in King Lear - here we've listed a few of them, in order of appearance in the play.
Cordelia: Nothing.
Lear: Nothing can come of nothing, speak again.
(Act 1 Scene 1)
Now, gods, stand up for bastards!
(Edmund, Act 1 Scene 2)
How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is
To have a thankless child!
(Lear, Act 1 Scene 4)
Thou shouldst not have been old till thou hadst been wise.
(Fool, Act, 1 Scene 5)
Blow winds and crack your cheeks! Rage, blow,
You cataracts and hurricanoes.
(Lear, Act 3 Scene 2)
I am a man
More sinned against than sinning.
(Lear, Act 3 Scene 2)
As flies to wanton boys are we to th' gods:
They kill us for their sport.
(Gloucester, Act 4 Scene 1)
So distribution should undo excess,
And each man have enough.
(Gloucester, Act 4 Scene 1)
They told me I was everything: 'tis a lie, I am no ague-proof.
(Lear, Act 4 Scene 5)
Get thee glass eyes,
And like a scurvy politician seem
To see the things thou dost not.
(Lear, Act 4 Scene 5)
When we are born, we cry that we are come
To this great stage of fools.
(Lear, Act 4 Scene 5)
Men must endure
Their going hence, even as their coming hither.
(Edgar, Act 5 Scene 2)
When thou dost ask me blessing, I'll kneel down
And ask of thee forgiveness.
(Lear, Act 5 Scene 3)
Why should a dog, a horse, a rat have life,
And thou no breath at all?
(Lear, Act 5 Scene 3)
We that are young
Shall never see so much, nor live so long.
(Edgar, Act 5 Scene 3)