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He is winding the watch of his wit; by and by it will strike.
William Shakespeare
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote suggests that a person's intelligence and humor will eventually reveal themselves over time.

William Shakespeare's quote implies that just as a watch must be wound to tell the time, one's wit and cleverness may need time to develop and be expressed. The metaphor of winding a watch highlights the idea that thoughtful and cultivated humor and intellect will eventually 'strike' or manifest at the right moment, suggesting patience and the natural evolution of a person's abilities.

Themes

WitHumorIntellectPatienceTime

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a speech about personal growth and development.

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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).
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Love bears it out even to the edge of doom.
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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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