My liege, and madam, to expostulate What majesty should…
“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.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The speaker urges concise speech, warning that over‑elaboration wastes time and obscures meaning.
In simple terms: Speak briefly; avoid needless words.
Key Takeaway
Value brevity over verbosity.
Themes
communication
efficiency
wit
clarity
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
advice
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- meetings
- presentations
- writing
- debates
- teaching
Key Concepts
rhetoric
conciseness
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you convey depth in few words?
- When is elaboration necessary?
A Different Perspective
Being brief may omit nuance or important detail.