---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Wit is so shining a quality that…"
description: "\"Wit is so shining a quality that everybody admires it; most people aim at it, all people fear it, and few love it unless in themselves. A man must have..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9dc/philip-dormer-stanhope-51772_admires_wit-is-so-shining-a-quality-that-everybo_2495718.jpg"
---

#  Wit is so shining a quality that everybody admires it…

![“Wit is so shining a quality that everybody admires it; most people aim at it, all people fear it, and few love it unless in themselves. A man must have a good share of withimself to endure a great share of it in another.” quote by Philip Dormer Stanhope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9dc/philip-dormer-stanhope-51772_admires_wit-is-so-shining-a-quality-that-everybo_2495718.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9dc/philip-dormer-stanhope-51772_admires_wit-is-so-shining-a-quality-that-everybo_2495718.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9dc/philip-dormer-stanhope-51772_admires_wit-is-so-shining-a-quality-that-everybo_2495718.jpg)

> “Wit is so shining a quality that everybody admires it; most people aim at it, all people fear it, and few love it unless in themselves. A man must have a good share of withimself to endure a great share of it in another.”

[Philip Dormer Stanhope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-dormer-stanhope/)

## About This Quote

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

Wit is admired yet feared; few love it unless they possess it, and it requires self‑confidence to appreciate in others.

**In simple terms:** Wit is both envied and intimidating.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate confidence to appreciate wit.

Themes

wit confidence self‑esteem admiration

Mood

reflective playful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- public speaking
- social gatherings
- creative writing
- teaching

Key Concepts

psychology social dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

- How does self‑confidence affect perception of wit?
- Can wit be taught?

A Different Perspective

Wit can alienate those lacking confidence.

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