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Women ought not to know their own wit, because they will…

“Women ought not to know their own wit, because they will still be showing it, and so spoil it.” quote by John Selden
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“Women ought not to know their own wit, because they will still be showing it, and so spoil it.”

John Selden

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Women are discouraged from displaying wit, implying that showing intelligence can be socially damaging.

In simple terms: Women should hide intelligence.

Key Takeaway

Suppress wit to avoid criticism.

Themes

gender society communication

Mood

critical historical

Type

philosophical social

When to use this quote

  • workplace meetings
  • public speaking
  • social gatherings
  • online forums

Key Concepts

wit self‑censorship social norms

Questions to Reflect On

  • Is it still relevant to hide intelligence?
  • What are the costs of suppressing wit?
A Different Perspective

Modern contexts often celebrate wit, making this view outdated.

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