As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends, / I must not look to have; but, in their stead, / Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath, / Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not" (5.3.25-28).
William ShakespeareRead
This fellow is wise enough to play the fool; And to do that well craves a kind of wit: He must observe their mood on whom he jests, The quality of persons, and the time, And, like the haggard, check at every feather That comes before his eye. This is a practise As full of labour as a wise man's art For folly that he wisely shows is fit; But wise men, folly-fall'n, quite taint their wit.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Wisdom often involves knowing when to be foolish and understanding the feelings of others. True wit requires careful observation and timing.
In this quote, Shakespeare reflects on the complex interplay between wisdom and folly. He suggests that a true fool, who can make others laugh, must possess a deep understanding of human nature and the circumstances in which humor is appropriate. The skillful fool observes the moods and qualities of those around him, indicating that his perceived foolishness is actually a form of wisdom. Conversely, he warns that wise people who indulge in folly without this awareness can undermine their own intelligence, as genuine wit is not merely about humor but about insight and timing.
Themes
WisdomFollyWitObservationHumor
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on the importance of humor in leadership, one might quote this to highlight the value of emotional intelligence.
More from William Shakespeare
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Absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it; the one brings fuel, the other blows it till it burns clear.
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Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying!
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Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
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