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
I am not only witty in myself, but the cause that wit is in other men.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The speaker sees themselves not just as clever, but as a source of cleverness in others.
This quote by William Shakespeare highlights the dual nature of wit; it suggests that the speaker possesses an intrinsic cleverness while also inspiring or provoking wit in those around them. It reflects on the social dynamics of humor and the way that individuals influence each other's expression of intelligence and creativity.
Themes
WitHumorIntelligenceInfluenceCreativity
In practice
Example use cases
In a toast at a wedding, one might say this quote to celebrate how the couple brings out the best in each other's humor.
More from William Shakespeare
All quotes →Love bears it out even to the edge of doom.
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Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people.
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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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