Is it the Bible or is it Shakespeare?

In this edition of the newsletter, we’ll introduce an engaging new game – Could it be the Bible or a Work of Shakespeare? All the quotations from the Bible will be sourced from the King James version. Interestingly, this translation was completed during the lifetime of Shakespeare, specifically in 1611, just five years before his death in 1616.

Some people hypothesize that Shakespeare may have had a hand in crafting the translation. While I'm not one to easily buy into conspiracy theories, if you search for 'Shakespeare, Psalm 46', you might find some intriguing points supporting this idea.

The quiz itself is quite straightforward. I will present you with 20 quotes, and your task is to determine whether each originates from the Bible or Shakespeare's works. You'll find the correct answers listed at the end.

Questions

1. To thine own self be true.
2. From the mouths of infants and children, you have established strength…
3. Shall we blame the flaw and not the person who commits it?
4. Let us indulge in food and drink, for we may not see tomorrow.
5. Men of few words are the best men.
6. … and I have narrowly escaped with just my skin intact.
7. Whoever finds a wife discovers a treasure.
8. We entered this world with nothing, and it’s certain that we can take nothing with us.
9. Yet humanity is destined for troubles, much like sparks that fly upward.
10. Neither a borrower nor a lender be
11. A joyful heart serves as medicine to the soul.
12. Do not let your left hand be aware of what your right hand is doing.
13. Not everything that shines is gold (And yes, that’s the original spelling!)
14. Practicality is the greater part of bravery.
15. Lord, what fools these mortals be!
16. What is the essence of your life? It is like a mist that appears briefly and then disappears.
17. Ah, if only my head were a source of flowing waters, and my eyes were a fountain of tears.
18. My beloved is like a bundle of myrrh to me; he will rest all night close to my heart.
19. The Prince of Darkness is indeed a gentleman.
20. Life is fleeting! / To waste that fleeting time in an unworthy manner seems too long.

Answers

1. Shakespeare – Hamlet, act 1, scene 3
2. Bible – Psalm 8:2
3. Shakespeare – Measure for Measure, act 2, scene 2
4. Bible – Multiple references including Isaiah 22:13, Ecclesiastes 8:15, 1 Corinthians 15:32, and Luke 12:19.
5. Shakespeare – King Henry V, act 3, scene 2
6. Bible – Job 19:20
7. Bible – Proverbs 18:22
8. Bible – I Timothy 6:7
9. Bible – Job 5:7
10. Shakespeare – Hamlet, act 1, scene 3
11. Bible – Proverbs 17:22
12. Bible – Matthew 6:3
13. Shakespeare – The Merchant of Venice, act 2, scene 7
14. Shakespeare – Henry IV, part 1, act 5, scene 4
15. Shakespeare – A Midsummer Night’s Dream, act 3, scene 2
16. Bible – James 4:14
17. Bible – Jeremiah 9:1
18. Bible – Song of Solomon 1:13
19. Shakespeare – King Lear, act 3, scene 4
20. Shakespeare – King Henry IV, part 1, act 5, scene 2

Source of most questions: https://www.sporcle.com/games/bamachile/billy-shakes-was-no-prophet

Written by: Michael Shackleford