Who said “How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child.”?

Verified

William Shakespeare. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceKing Lear (1605–6), Lear, Act I, scene iv.

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: King Lear (1605–6), Lear, Act I, scene iv..

APA

Shakespeare, W. (n.d.). How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/4731-how-sharper-than-a-serpents-tooth-it-is/

MLA

Shakespeare, William. “How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/4731-how-sharper-than-a-serpents-tooth-it-is/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Shakespeare, William. “How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/4731-how-sharper-than-a-serpents-tooth-it-is/.

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