William Shakespeare on Wit
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“They have a plentiful lack of wit.”
“Sir, your wit ambles well; it goes easily.”
“Your wit's too hot, it speeds too fast, 'twill tire.”
“He doth, indeed, show some sparks that are like wit.”
“Thy wit is as quick as the greyhound's mouth; it catches.”
“Thy wit is a very bitter sweeting: it is most sharp sauce.”
“You have a nimble wit; I think it was made of Atalanta's heels.”
“Look, he's winding up the watch of his wit; by and by it will strike.”
“I am not only witty in myself, but the cause that wit is in other men.”
“To leave this keen encounter of our wits, And fall somewhat into a slower method.”
“Great men may jest with saints; 'tis wit in them; But, in the less, foul profanation.”
“A good old man, sir: he will be talking, as they say, When the age is in, the wit is out.”
“Since brevity is the soul of wit, And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes, I will be brief.”
“Rudeness is a sauce to his good wit, Which gives men stomach to digest his words, With better appetite.”
“His eye begets occasion for his wit; For every object that the one doth catch, The other turns to a mirth-moving jest.”
“Make the doors upon a woman's wit and it will out at the casement; shut that and 'twill out at the key-hole; stop that, 'twill fly with the smoke out at the chimney.”
“Those wits that think they have thee, do very oft prove fools; and I, that am sure I lack thee, may pass for a wise man; for what says Quinapalus? "Better a witty fool than a foolish wit."”