Vol. 08 · Shakespeare ·Twelfth Night, Act II.v ·Malvolio (reading)
"Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them."
Not quite the line.
How it's usually quoted
"Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them."
What Shakespeare actually wrote
"Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em." Malvolio (reading) — Twelfth Night, Act II.v
Why it matters
Quoted correctly, routinely mis-sourced to "greatness" aphorism collections. Malvolio is reading a forged letter — the whole passage is a prank.
More from the canon.
Browse the rest of the shelf, or try a cold reading.