--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Music-hall songs provide the dull with…" description: "\"Music-hall songs provide the dull with wit, just as proverbs provide them with wisdom.\" — W. Somerset Maugham" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08e/w-somerset-maugham-237_dull_music-hall-songs-provide-the-dull-with-w_649610.jpg" --- # Music-hall songs provide the dull with wit, just as… ![“Music-hall songs provide the dull with wit, just as proverbs provide them with wisdom.” quote by W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08e/w-somerset-maugham-237_dull_music-hall-songs-provide-the-dull-with-w_649610.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08e/w-somerset-maugham-237_dull_music-hall-songs-provide-the-dull-with-w_649610.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/08e/w-somerset-maugham-237_dull_music-hall-songs-provide-the-dull-with-w_649610.jpg) > “Music-hall songs provide the dull with wit, just as proverbs provide them with wisdom.” [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Wit and wisdom can be found in unexpected places, like music-hall songs and proverbs, offering insight to those who might seem dull. **In simple terms:** Even the dull can gain insight from humor and proverbs. Key Takeaway Seek humor and proverbs for unexpected insight. Themes humor wisdom culture Mood playful thoughtful Type observational cultural When to use this quote - social gatherings - learning environments - creative writing Key Concepts literature social commentary Questions to Reflect On - How can humor be used to convey wisdom? - When does wit become condescending? A Different Perspective Humor may not resonate with everyone. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dull/) [Dull Wit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dull-wit-5198875/) [Halls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/halls/) [Just Proverbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/just-proverbs-5198876/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Music hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music-hall/) [Proverb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proverb/) [Proverbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proverbs/) [Proverbs Provide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proverbs-provide-5198877/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Songs Provide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/songs-provide-5198878/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) [Wit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wit/) ## Related quotes > [...I begin with songs. They provide a sort of skeleton grammar for me to flesh out. Songs of longing for future tense, songs of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-doria-russell/i-begin-with-songs-they-provide-a-sort-of-skeleton-grammar-for-me-to/) [Mary Doria Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-doria-russell/) > [In a personal way, to do with family and the father-son relationship, in a kind of artistic way with regard to him being an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-serkis/in-a-personal-way-to-do-with-family-and-the-father-son-relationship/) [Andy Serkis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-serkis/) > [At a music hall, I'll get upset if someone coughs or if someone's cellphone goes off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-bell/at-a-music-hall-i-ll-get-upset-if-someone-coughs-or-if-someone-s/) [Joshua Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-bell/) > [The theater has never been any good since the actors became gentlemen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-h-auden/the-theater-has-never-been-any-good-since-the-actors-became-gentlemen/) [W. H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-h-auden/) > [Imaginatively Glasgow exists as a music hall song and a few bad novels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alasdair-gray/imaginatively-glasgow-exists-as-a-music-hall-song-and-a-few-bad-novels/) [Alasdair Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alasdair-gray/) > [Look at me! I can go from 'Donny and Marie' to Sam Peckinpah to Radio City Music Hall in one week.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kris-kristofferson/look-at-me-i-can-go-from-donny-and-marie-to-sam-peckinpah-to-radio/) [Kris Kristofferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kris-kristofferson/) > [It would be a dream to perform at Radio City Music Hall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-green/it-would-be-a-dream-to-perform-at-radio-city-music-hall/) [Tom Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-green/) > [I was brought up on music hall, and at the same time, I was studying Greek at the age of 12.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-harrison/i-was-brought-up-on-music-hall-and-at-the-same-time-i-was-studying/) [Tony Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-harrison/) > [Rhode Island has become a second home to me after being involved in its cultural life for over 61 years. I look upon it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-wein/rhode-island-has-become-a-second-home-to-me-after-being-involved-in/) [George Wein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-wein/) > [The actors today really need the whip hand. They're so lazy. They haven't got the sense of pride in their profession that the less…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-h-auden/the-actors-today-really-need-the-whip-hand-they-re-so-lazy-they-haven/) [W. H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-h-auden/) > [My first gig was at Radio City Music Hall when I was 13.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/questlove/my-first-gig-was-at-radio-city-music-hall-when-i-was-13/) [Questlove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/questlove/) > [My life is like a music-hall,Where, in the impotence of rage,Chained by enchantment to my stall,I see myself upon the stageDance to amuse a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-symons/my-life-is-like-a-music-hall-where-in-the-impotence-of-rage-chained/) [Arthur Symons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-symons/) > [Entering into the spirit of this interior, you will discover the best possible atmosphere in which to show fine paintings or listen to music.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-lloyd-wright/entering-into-the-spirit-of-this-interior-you-will-discover-the-best/) [Frank Lloyd Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-lloyd-wright/) > [A successful current affairs television show seems to be more and more a cross between a music hall turn and a scene in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-macmillan/a-successful-current-affairs-television-show-seems-to-be-more-and/) [Harold MacMillan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-macmillan/) > [Harlem's Apollo is probably the most well-known music hall in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-amos/harlem-s-apollo-is-probably-the-most-well-known-music-hall-in-the/) [Shawn Amos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-amos/) ## More by W. Somerset Maugham > [“A man thinks it quite natural that he should fall out of love with a woman, but it never strikes him for a moment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/a-man-thinks-it-quite-natural-that-he-should-fall-out-of-love-with-a/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [“A man's work reveals him. In social intercourse he gives you the surface that he wishes the world to accept, but in his book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/a-man-s-work-reveals-him-in-social-intercourse-he-gives-you-the/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [Love is only a dirty trick played on us to achieve continuation of the species.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/love-is-only-a-dirty-trick-played-on-us-to-achieve-continuation-of/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [The world is hard and cruel. We are here none knows why, and we go none knows whither. We must be very humble. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/the-world-is-hard-and-cruel-we-are-here-none-knows-why-and-we-go-none/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [“There is no more merit in having read a thousand books than in having ploughed a thousand fields.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/there-is-no-more-merit-in-having-read-a-thousand-books-than-in-having/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [“I wanted to live again and again. I was willing to accept every sort of life, no matter what its pain and sorrow; I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/i-wanted-to-live-again-and-again-i-was-willing-to-accept-every-sort/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [In Hollywood, the women are all peaches. It makes one long for an apple occasionally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/in-hollywood-the-women-are-all-peaches-it-makes-one-long-for-an-apple/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [Follow your inclinations with due regard to the policeman round the corner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/follow-your-inclinations-with-due-regard-to-the-policeman-round-the/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [“His love became a prison from which he longed to escape, but he had not the strength merely to open the door-that was all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/his-love-became-a-prison-from-which-he-longed-to-escape-but-he-had/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [I did not believe him capable of love. That is an emotion in which tenderness is an essential part, but Strickland had no tenderness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/i-did-not-believe-him-capable-of-love-that-is-an-emotion-in-which/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [If only the good were a little less heavy-footed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/if-only-the-good-were-a-little-less-heavy-footed/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [Perfection has one grave defect: it is apt to be dull.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/perfection-has-one-grave-defect-it-is-apt-to-be-dull/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [“A God that can be understood is no God. Who can explain the Infinite in words?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/a-god-that-can-be-understood-is-no-god-who-can-explain-the-infinite/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [“My dear, you used to be quite a dish; now you're quite a tureen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/my-dear-you-used-to-be-quite-a-dish-now-you-re-quite-a-tureen/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) > [“When people say they do not care what others thing of them, for the most part they deceive themselves”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-somerset-maugham/when-people-say-they-do-not-care-what-others-thing-of-them-for-the/) [W. Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) [Explore all 840 W. Somerset Maugham quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-somerset-maugham/) ## More Dull quotes > [The word 'mundane' has come to mean 'boring' and 'dull', and it really shouldn't - it should mean the opposite. Because it comes from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/the-word-mundane-has-come-to-mean-boring-and-dull-and-it-really/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [My mind rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me the most abstruse cryptogram, or the most intricate analysis, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-conan-doyle/my-mind-rebels-at-stagnation-give-me-problems-give-me-work-give-me/) [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-conan-doyle/) > [To divide one's life by years is of course to tumble into a trap set by our own arithmetic. The calendar consents to carry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clifton-fadiman/to-divide-one-s-life-by-years-is-of-course-to-tumble-into-a-trap-set/) [Clifton Fadiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clifton-fadiman/) > [ Music \[is\] the third rail of life. You grabbed it to shock yourself out of the dull drag of hours. To feel something. To… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-hill/music-is-the-third-rail-of-life-you-grabbed-it-to-shock-yourself-out/) [Joe Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-hill/) > [Whether one is twenty, forty, or sixty; whether one has succeeded, failed or just muddled along; whether yesterday was full of sun or storm,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-mitchell-hodges/whether-one-is-twenty-forty-or-sixty-whether-one-has-succeeded-failed/) [Leigh Mitchell Hodges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-mitchell-hodges/) > [I am simply looking for a companion with whom to spend my days, a companion who will cherish as much as I the stupidity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heidi-julavits/i-am-simply-looking-for-a-companion-with-whom-to-spend-my-days-a/) [Heidi Julavits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heidi-julavits/) > [The world is a wonderfully weird place, consensual reality is significantly flawed, no institution can be trusted, certainty is a mirage, security a delusion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-world-is-a-wonderfully-weird-place-consensual-reality-is/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [Soothing words can become just another drug we swallow to dull our pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beth-moore/soothing-words-can-become-just-another-drug-we-swallow-to-dull-our/) [Beth Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beth-moore/) > [Perhaps it is this theory of all work and no play that has made the Marxist such a very dull boy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-read/perhaps-it-is-this-theory-of-all-work-and-no-play-that-has-made-the/) [Herbert Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-read/) > ['You spin in the sky, the world spins under you, and you step from land to land, while we . . .' She turned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-r-delany/you-spin-in-the-sky-the-world-spins-under-you-and-you-step-from-land/) [Samuel R. Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-r-delany/) > [Suppose that we are wise enough to learn and know-and yet not wise enough to control our learning and knowledge, so that we use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/suppose-that-we-are-wise-enough-to-learn-and-know-and-yet-not-wise/) [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) > [The most fascinating powers don't mean a thing if the guy's poorly motivated or dull, and the most generic powers won't hurt a well-motivated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-busiek/the-most-fascinating-powers-don-t-mean-a-thing-if-the-guy-s-poorly/) [Kurt Busiek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-busiek/) > [Silence is the universal refuge, the sequel to all dull discourses and all foolish acts, a balm to our every chagrin, as welcome after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/silence-is-the-universal-refuge-the-sequel-to-all-dull-discourses-and/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [A good movie can take you out of your dull funk and the hopelessness that so often goes with slipping into a theatre; a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pauline-kael/a-good-movie-can-take-you-out-of-your-dull-funk-and-the-hopelessness/) [Pauline Kael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pauline-kael/) > [A thrumming of piano-strings beyond the gardens and through the elms. At length the melody steals into my being. I know not when it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/a-thrumming-of-piano-strings-beyond-the-gardens-and-through-the-elms/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) [Browse all 1,407 Dull quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dull/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Music-hall songs provide the dull with wit, just as proverbs provide them with wisdom.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "W. 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