---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Neither have they hearts to stay, nor wit…"
description: "\"Neither have they hearts to stay, nor wit enough to run away.\" — Samuel Butler"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edb/samuel-butler-823_enough_neither-have-they-hearts-to-stay-nor-wit_2931352.jpg"
---

#  Neither have they hearts to stay, nor wit enough to run…

![“Neither have they hearts to stay, nor wit enough to run away.” quote by Samuel Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edb/samuel-butler-823_enough_neither-have-they-hearts-to-stay-nor-wit_2931352.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edb/samuel-butler-823_enough_neither-have-they-hearts-to-stay-nor-wit_2931352.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/edb/samuel-butler-823_enough_neither-have-they-hearts-to-stay-nor-wit_2931352.jpg)

> “Neither have they hearts to stay, nor wit enough to run away.”

[Samuel Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-butler/)

## About This Quote

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

Notes that people lack both steadfast hearts and cleverness to escape, highlighting human indecisiveness.

**In simple terms:** People lack heart and wit to leave.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate resolve and insight.

Themes

human nature indecision heart wit literary critique

Mood

reflective melancholic

Type

poetic philosophical

When to use this quote

- personal decisions
- career changes
- relationship endings
- ethical dilemmas

Key Concepts

psychology philosophy self‑knowledge

Questions to Reflect On

- What fuels commitment versus escape?
- How can one develop both heart and wit?

A Different Perspective

May be pessimistic.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Indecision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indecision/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Running away](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running-away/) [Wit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wit/)

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