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
He is winding the watch of his wit; by and by it will strike.
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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Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying!
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Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
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