Retort Quote by P.G. Wodehouse
““About two hours afterwards Gethryn discovered a suitable retort, but, coming to the conclusion that better late than never does not apply to repartees, refrained from speaking it.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Mysterious Affair of the Two Worlds by P.G. Wodehouse, 1938
A witty character realizes that a clever comeback loses its impact if delivered too late, so he chooses silence.
In simple terms: Timing matters for humor; delayed jokes fall flat.
Key Takeaway
Speak promptly or stay silent.
Themes
humor
timing
communication
Mood
playful
reflective
Type
anecdotal
humorous
When to use this quote
- social gatherings
- debates
- online comments
- public speaking
Key Concepts
wit
social etiquette
conversation dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you held back a comment for fear of timing?
- How does silence affect a conversation’s tone?
A Different Perspective
A delayed retort may still cause embarrassment despite restraint.
![“[A]lways get to the dialogue as soon as possible. I always feel the thing to go for is speed. Nothing puts the reader off more than a big slab of prose at the start." (Interview, The Paris Review , Issue 64, Winter 1975)” quote by P.G. Wodehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/989/p-g-wodehouse-723_communication_a-lways-get-to-the-dialogue-as-soon-as-p_13316.jpg)
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