All's Well That Ends Well | Quotes

The countess gives this advice to her son before he leaves for France, telling him he will do well if he shows love to everyone, treats them all well, and puts his trust only in those who deserve it. Within the events of the play to unfold, Bertram will ignore all three parts of his mother's advice.

Helen bemoans her low social status, feeling it is an impossible barrier to marrying the man she loves.

Parolles uses the argument to convince Helen virginity is a conceit and she would do well to lose it as soon as possible. Helen has just told the audience, in an aside, Parolles's character can make foolishness seem like wisdom, and his argument about virginity supports Helen's perception of him.

Helen takes charge of her own destiny, recognizing it is up to her, not to prayer, to make her dreams of marrying Bertram come true.

Helen is trying to persuade the king of France to let her try to heal him, saying people often give up hope at the very moment they should not.

In mocking the court, the fool is explaining he has a single answer that can be used to respond to any question or statement put before him. The answer turns out to be "O Lord, sir!" The fool's joke, mocking the nobility, supports the main idea in the play social status doesn't determine a person's worth.

The king of France is explaining to Bertram why Helen does not need a title to make her worthy and goodness and its opposite are both clear no matter what title a person holds.

The Fool shows he sees Parolles for what he is—an empty person with no redeeming characteristics.

Lafew, like the fool, sees Parolles for the weak and unsubstantial parasite he is and tries to warn Bertram not to trust him.

Bertram proclaims all he cares about is proving himself worthy in battle, represented by the drum, and the trivialities of love mean nothing to him. However, once distinguished in war, he will quickly turn his thoughts toward seducing Diana.

Mariana, the widow of Florence's neighbor, is warning Diana about Bertram, saying nothing he can offer her is more precious than her good name.

The First Lord Dumaine muses our lives are a mix of virtuous and regrettable actions.

After having been exposed as a liar, coward, and disloyal soldier, the pompous Parolles tells the audience every braggart will be proven to be a fool in the end.

Helen is comforting the widow of Florence and Diana when their plans go offtrack, telling them as long as everything turns out the way it should, nothing that happens along the way really matters.

The king of France, who still believes Helen is dead, comments praising her virtues makes the memory of her that much more precious.