--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: So much has already been said about…" description: "\"So much has already been said about Shakespeare that there doesn't seem to be anything more to say; yet it is the quality of the spirit that it forever..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15b/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_forever_so-much-has-already-been-said-about-shak_1783837.jpg" --- # So much has already been said about Shakespeare that there… ![“So much has already been said about Shakespeare that there doesn't seem to be anything more to say; yet it is the quality of the spirit that it forever stimulates the spirit.” quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15b/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_forever_so-much-has-already-been-said-about-shak_1783837.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15b/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_forever_so-much-has-already-been-said-about-shak_1783837.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15b/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_forever_so-much-has-already-been-said-about-shak_1783837.jpg) > “So much has already been said about Shakespeare that there doesn't seem to be anything more to say; yet it is the quality of the spirit that it forever stimulates the spirit.” [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He notes that while much has been said about Shakespeare, the enduring spirit of his work continues to inspire. **In simple terms:** Shakespeare's spirit remains ever‑stimulating. Key Takeaway Seek the timeless spirit in art. Themes literature inspiration spirituality legacy creativity Mood contemplative admiring Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - reading - teaching - creative writing Key Concepts artistic influence human nature timelessness Questions to Reflect On - How does Shakespeare's spirit affect modern creators? - What aspects of his work feel most alive today? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on analysis can miss emotional impact. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shakespeare/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) ## Related quotes > [Shakespeare doesn't belong to the past. If his material is valid, it is valid now. It's like coal. The only meaningfulness of a piece…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-brook/shakespeare-doesn-t-belong-to-the-past-if-his-material-is-valid-it-is/) [Peter Brook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-brook/) > [“Shakespeare doesn't use flashbacks, and his characters are more likely to philosophize than to remember. (Margot Livesey)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tin-house-books/shakespeare-doesn-t-use-flashbacks-and-his-characters-are-more-likely/) [Tin House Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tin-house-books/) > [Beauty fades. Your spirit is forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beyonce-knowles/beauty-fades-your-spirit-is-forever/) [Beyonce Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beyonce-knowles/) > [“Our body is just a vehicle for us while we’re here. It is our soul and our spirit that last forever.” I”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-l-weiss/our-body-is-just-a-vehicle-for-us-while-we-re-here-it-is-our-soul-and/) [Brian L. Weiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-l-weiss/) > [The first thing we can count on from the Holy Spirit is that He will be with us forever. And I will pray the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goddey-wilson/the-first-thing-we-can-count-on-from-the-holy-spirit-is-that-he-will/) [GODDEY WILSON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goddey-wilson/) > [“I have ridden out all the storms,” said Shakespeare, “even the ones I wrote myself. Here, look, it begins…”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanette-winterson/i-have-ridden-out-all-the-storms-said-shakespeare-even-the-ones-i/) [Jeanette Winterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanette-winterson/) > [“There is nothing either good or bad,” said Shakespeare, “but thinking makes it so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/there-is-nothing-either-good-or-bad-said-shakespeare-but-thinking/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) > [“quoted a bench of justices Katju and Misra saying, “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark, said Shakespeare in Hamlet, and it can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamal-bandyopadhyay/quoted-a-bench-of-justices-katju-and-misra-saying-something-is-rotten/) Tamal Bandyopadhyay > [I was in school with Ginnifer; she's a couple of years younger than I am. She's super sweet. She told me I gave her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-deschanel/i-was-in-school-with-ginnifer-she-s-a-couple-of-years-younger-than-i/) [Emily Deschanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-deschanel/) > [“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so,” said Shakespeare.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-j-markert/there-is-nothing-either-good-or-bad-but-thinking-makes-it-so-said/) Christopher J Markert > [It was said of Euripides, that every verse was a precept; and it may be said of Shakespeare, that from his works may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/it-was-said-of-euripides-that-every-verse-was-a-precept-and-it-may-be/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [ One of the reasons \[William\] Shakespeare is so endlessly fascinating is that you can look at that figure from about 10 different angles: Caliban… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/one-of-the-reasons-william-shakespeare-is-so-endlessly-fascinating-is/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [The way Shakespeare wrote Fallstaff is with a heightened language and everything. That's the genuis of having Ken Branagh here as well. Shakespeare doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-stevenson/the-way-shakespeare-wrote-fallstaff-is-with-a-heightened-language-and-2/) [Ray Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-stevenson/) > [This is more than just the rebuilding of the Globe, creating some kind of monument to Shakespeare which he doesn't need. His books are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-wanamaker/this-is-more-than-just-the-rebuilding-of-the-globe-creating-some-kind/) [Sam Wanamaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-wanamaker/) > [“Quoting Shakespeare doesn't make you an intellectual. It just makes you a fan of Shakespeare.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-n-fair/quoting-shakespeare-doesn-t-make-you-an-intellectual-it-just-makes/) Kevin N. Fair ## More by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I never believed in trying to do anything. Whatever I set out to do I found I had already accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/i-never-believed-in-trying-to-do-anything-whatever-i-set-out-to-do-i/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [All lyrical work must, as a whole, be perfectly intelligible, but in some particulars a little unintelligible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/all-lyrical-work-must-as-a-whole-be-perfectly-intelligible-but-in/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/we-know-accurately-only-when-we-know-little-with-knowledge-doubt/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [It is easier to perceive error than to find truth, for the former lies on the surface and is easily seen, while the latter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/it-is-easier-to-perceive-error-than-to-find-truth-for-the-former-lies/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [There is no patriotic art and no patriotic science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/there-is-no-patriotic-art-and-no-patriotic-science/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [The connoisseur of art must be able to appreciate what is simply beautiful, but the common run of people is satisfied with ornament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/the-connoisseur-of-art-must-be-able-to-appreciate-what-is-simply/) [Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Nothing is worse than active ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/nothing-is-worse-than-active-ignorance/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Let us not dream that reason can ever be popular. Passions, emotions, may be made popular; but reason remains ever the property of an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/let-us-not-dream-that-reason-can-ever-be-popular-passions-emotions/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Our foibles are really what make us lovable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/our-foibles-are-really-what-make-us-lovable/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Instruction does much, but encouragement everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/instruction-does-much-but-encouragement-everything/) [Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Giving is the business of the rich.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/giving-is-the-business-of-the-rich/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Just begin and the mind grows heated; continue, and the task will be completed!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/just-begin-and-the-mind-grows-heated-continue-and-the-task-will-be/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I look upon all four Gospels as thoroughly genuine, for there shines forth from them the reflected splendor of a sublimity proceeding from Jesus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/i-look-upon-all-four-gospels-as-thoroughly-genuine-for-there-shines/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Whatever we may say against collections, which present authors in a disjointed form, they nevertheless bring about many excellent results. We are not always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/whatever-we-may-say-against-collections-which-present-authors-in-a/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) [Explore all 2,052 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) ## More Forever quotes > [Every one knows that the exercise of military power is forever dangerous to civil rights; and we have had recent instances of violences that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-adams/every-one-knows-that-the-exercise-of-military-power-is-forever/) [Samuel Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-adams/) > [“I believe in forever, and that’s what you and I are. We define eternity. This may sound cheesy, but you make me go there.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-mchugh/i-believe-in-forever-and-that-s-what-you-and-i-are-we-define-eternity/) [Gail McHugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-mchugh/) > [Contradictory precepts that have guided me for as long as I can remember: 1: I will live forever. 2: I will die tomorrow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-gardner/contradictory-precepts-that-have-guided-me-for-as-long-as-i-can/) [Howard Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-gardner/) > [People don't always realize that a record is forever. It'll always be there under your name. You've got to be certain that it's right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-iero/people-don-t-always-realize-that-a-record-is-forever-it-ll-always-be/) [Frank Iero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-iero/) > [When you find someone you want to spend forever with you, you don't let them go, whether forever turns out to be a day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-williams/when-you-find-someone-you-want-to-spend-forever-with-you-you-don-t/) [Nicole Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-williams/) > [What does forever mean to you? When you couldnt even keep it true You said were youd forever be there But were those just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fad-ibra/what-does-forever-mean-to-you-when-you-couldnt-even-keep-it-true-you/) [Fad Ibra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fad-ibra/) > [Forever is a really long time, you know? What do you do with forever?" "The same thing you do when you don't have forever."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-hocking/forever-is-a-really-long-time-you-know-what-do-you-do-with-forever/) [Amanda Hocking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-hocking/) > [I think when you’re dying you start looking for important things in the corners. You can’t let anything that seems even semi-important pass, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-crutcher/i-think-when-you-re-dying-you-start-looking-for-important-things-in/) [Chris Crutcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-crutcher/) > [Whole scenes of your life slip away forever if you don't put them down in ink.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/silas-house/whole-scenes-of-your-life-slip-away-forever-if-you-don-t-put-them/) [Silas House](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/silas-house/) > [Tonight I feel like a prisoner on fire, waiting desperately... denied, sentenced forever more. Only your love can set me free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bolton/tonight-i-feel-like-a-prisoner-on-fire-waiting-desperately-denied/) [Michael Bolton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bolton/) > [It all depends on you. You can go on sleeping forever, you can wake up right this moment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/it-all-depends-on-you-you-can-go-on-sleeping-forever-you-can-wake-up/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [I do conscientiously and sincerely believe that the Order of Freemasonry, if not the greatest, is one of the greatest moral and political evils…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-quincy-adams/i-do-conscientiously-and-sincerely-believe-that-the-order-of/) [John Quincy Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-quincy-adams/) > [There is nothing more I ask of this life than this moment, exactly so. And suddenly forever seems like too short a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-andreas/there-is-nothing-more-i-ask-of-this-life-than-this-moment-exactly-so/) [Brian Andreas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-andreas/) > [I want to do - I want to be putting out classic stuff that's gonna stick and last forever, you feel me?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yg/i-want-to-do-i-want-to-be-putting-out-classic-stuff-that-s-gonna/) YG > [“I will run every mile, i will save every line, i will say i reached the top and i will fall back down standing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mennah-al-refaey/i-will-run-every-mile-i-will-save-every-line-i-will-say-i-reached-the/) Mennah al refaey Browse all 10,689 Forever quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "So much has already been said about Shakespeare that there doesn't seem to be anything more to say; yet it is the quality of the spirit that it forever stimulates the spirit.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Johann Wolfgang von Goethe" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/so-much-has-already-been-said-about-shakespeare-that-there-doesn-t/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Forever" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/so-much-has-already-been-said-about-shakespeare-that-there-doesn-t/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15b/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_forever_so-much-has-already-been-said-about-shak_1783837.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15b/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_forever_so-much-has-already-been-said-about-shak_1783837.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15b/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_forever_so-much-has-already-been-said-about-shak_1783837.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“So much has already been said about Shakespeare that there doesn't seem to be anything more to say; yet it…” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Johann Wolfgang von Goethe", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "So much has already been said...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/so-much-has-already-been-said-about-shakespeare-that-there-doesn-t/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/so-much-has-already-been-said-about-shakespeare-that-there-doesn-t/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```