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Brevity is the Soul of WitThe proverb 'brevity is the soul of wit' means that articulate and intelligent communication (speech and writing) should use few and wisely chosen words. It is associated with the play 'Hamlet,' by William Shakespeare.

In Shakespeare's day, 'wit' principally referred to intelligence, and the essence or soul of being intelligent is to convey your thoughts as briefly and efficiently as possible. Here is the context of the line:

LORD POLONIUS

This business is well ended.

My liege, and madam, to expostulate

What majesty should be, what duty is,

Why day is day, night night, and time is time,

Were nothing but to waste night, day and time.

Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,

And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,

I will be brief: your noble son is mad:

Mad call I it; for, to define true madness,

What is't but to be nothing else but mad?

But let that go.

(The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark Act 2, scene 2.)

It should also be noted that this phrase is very ironic in the context of the play, as Polonius is anything but brief in his long speeches.

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Q: What does 'brevity is the soul of wit' mean?
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Related questions

What does brevity is a source of wit mean?

It means someone misheard the quotation, which is actually "brevity is the soul of wit."


What is ironic about brevity is the soul of wit'?

The character who says it is long winded.


What is the positive connotation for short?

Brevity is the soul of wit.


Who said this line 'Brevity is the soul of wit'?

The quotation is this:Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,I will be brief.It comes from the play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, and is spoken by the character Polonius.


What Shakespeare play is this from brerity is the soul of wit?

"Brevity is the soul of wit" is from Lord Polonious' speech in Shakespeare's Hamlet, in Act II, scene ii.


What famous line from Shakespeare's Hamlet has to do with eliminating extra words?

Brevity is the soul of wit


Which of William shakespeare's plays does the phrase 'brevity is the soul of wit' come from?

Hamlet, Act 2 Scene 2


What does polonius mean by brevity is the soul of wit?

It is self-explanatory. "Brevity" means terseness, saying things with few words. "Wit" is intelligent and clever use of language, although it can also mean just plain intelligence. Saying that something is the soul of something is the same as saying that it is at the heart of that thing, or that it is the essence of that thing. So, the saying could be rephrased (with a less satisfactory rhythm) as "brevity is at the heart of wit" or "brevity is the essence of wit". Therefore what it means is that if you want to speak intelligently you should use just as many words as you need and no more. Of course it says that much more briefly and therefore more intelligently. The irony is that the guy who says this line, Polonius in Hamlet, is notoriously neither brief nor witty.


What are different quotations from Shakespeares plays?

"Brevity is the soul of wit," and "Out, damned spot! out, I say!" are different quotations from Shakespeare's plays


Meaning of the quote Brevity is the soul of lingerie?

This quote by Dorothy Parker is a play on Shakespeare's "Brevity is the soul of wit." It suggests that lingerie, like wit, is most effective when it is brief and suggestive, leaving more to the imagination. Essentially, it highlights the power of suggestion and leaving something to be desired.


Who says brevity is the soul of wit and why is this ironic?

The line "brevity is the soul of wit" is spoken by Polonius in William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet." The irony lies in the fact that Polonius is known for being long-winded and verbose in his speech and actions, contradicting the very idea of brevity that he espouses.


When did Polarius say Brevity is the sole of wit?

Polonius said "Brevity is the soul of wit" in Act 2, Scene 2 of William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet." This quote emphasizes the value of being concise and precise in communication.