Brevity Quotes
Brevity is the soul of wit.
"Brevity is the soul of wit."— William Shakespeare
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Meaning of this quote
Polonius praises concise expression while delivering a speech that is itself long-winded. The dramatic irony makes the line both useful advice and a joke at the speaker's expense.
Key takeaway:
Keep an explanation as concise as its purpose allows.
Origin of the quote
Hamlet, Act II, Scene II, Polonius speaking to the King and Queen.
Who actually said this?
VerifiedThe words occur in the Folger text. The surrounding speech is deliberately verbose, adding irony to the maxim.
