--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A wit should no more be sincere, than a…" description: "\"A wit should no more be sincere, than a woman constant; one argues a decay of parts, as to other of beauty.\" — William Congreve" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63d/william-congreve-5161_arguing_a-wit-should-no-more-be-sincere-than-a-w_121317.png" --- # A wit should no more be sincere, than a woman constant… ![“A wit should no more be sincere, than a woman constant; one argues a decay of parts, as to other of beauty.” quote by William Congreve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63d/william-congreve-5161_arguing_a-wit-should-no-more-be-sincere-than-a-w_121317.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63d/william-congreve-5161_arguing_a-wit-should-no-more-be-sincere-than-a-w_121317.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/63d/william-congreve-5161_arguing_a-wit-should-no-more-be-sincere-than-a-w_121317.png) > “A wit should no more be sincere, than a woman constant; one argues a decay of parts, as to other of beauty.” [William Congreve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-congreve/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Wit, like sincerity, should not be expected to be constant; both can decay like parts of a whole, affecting overall beauty. **In simple terms:** Wit and sincerity are not always steady. Key Takeaway Consistency in wit and sincerity is rare. Themes philosophy human nature aesthetics Mood thoughtful wry Type philosophical observation literary critique When to use this quote - creative writing - social interaction Key Concepts ephemeral qualities beauty and decay Practical Applications - embrace variability in expression - value authenticity over forced consistency Questions to Reflect On - When does inconsistency enhance charm? - Can sincerity be cultivated deliberately? A Different Perspective Emphasizing decay may overlook contexts where steadiness is prized. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Argues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argues-808205/) [Argues Decay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/argues-decay-1414703/) [Arguing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/arguing/) [Beauty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beauty/) [Being sincere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being-sincere/) [Constant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constant/) [Constant Argues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/constant-argues-1414702/) [Decay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decay/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Sincere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sincere/) [Sincerity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sincerity/) [Wit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wit/) [Wit Woman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wit-woman-1414700/) [Woman Constant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/woman-constant-1414701/) ## Related quotes > [A wit should be no more sincere than a woman constant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-congreve/a-wit-should-be-no-more-sincere-than-a-woman-constant/) [William Congreve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-congreve/) > [Wit and woman are two frail things, and both the frailer by concurring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-overbury/wit-and-woman-are-two-frail-things-and-both-the-frailer-by-concurring/) [Thomas Overbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-overbury/) > [I grew up with the idealistic notion that writing and literature were noble causes. 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My wavering manner, born of doubt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-frederic-amiel/i-wonder-whether-i-should-gain-anything-by-the-attempt-to-assume-a/) [Henri Frederic Amiel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-frederic-amiel/) > [The wise men of antiquity, when they wished to make the whole world peaceful and happy, first put their own States into proper order.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-wise-men-of-antiquity-when-they-wished-to-make-the-whole-world/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Empower the people around you, from the janitor to the athletic director. You do that by being sincere, caring about others, and then putting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-gunter/empower-the-people-around-you-from-the-janitor-to-the-athletic/) [Sue Gunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-gunter/) > [“It's not unfortunate that people aren't genuine; what's unfortunate is that insincere people try to act sincere and in doing so, mislead and deceive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-joybell-c/it-s-not-unfortunate-that-people-aren-t-genuine-what-s-unfortunate-is-2/) [C. JoyBell C](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-joybell-c/) > [Once we become conscious of a feeling and attempt to make a corresponding form, we are engaged in an activity which, far from being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-read/once-we-become-conscious-of-a-feeling-and-attempt-to-make-a/) [Herbert Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-read/) > [Being sincere, dedicated and honest is the key. People of integrity triumph in the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daisaku-ikeda/being-sincere-dedicated-and-honest-is-the-key-people-of-integrity/) [Daisaku Ikeda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daisaku-ikeda/) > [Prayer is a means of sharing the burden, which relieves pressure, as you tell your worries and concerns to someone who will listen and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucinda-bassett/prayer-is-a-means-of-sharing-the-burden-which-relieves-pressure-as/) [Lucinda Bassett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucinda-bassett/) > [The Great Man's sincerity is of the kind he cannot speak of, is not conscious of: nay, I suppose, he is conscious rather of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-carlyle/the-great-man-s-sincerity-is-of-the-kind-he-cannot-speak-of-is-not/) [Thomas Carlyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-carlyle/) > [Things being investigated, knowledge became complete. Their knowledge being complete, their thoughts were sincere. Their thoughts being sincere, their hearts were then rectified. Their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/things-being-investigated-knowledge-became-complete-their-knowledge/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Well, you know what they say in Hollywood - the most important thing is being sincere, even if you have to fake it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-romero/well-you-know-what-they-say-in-hollywood-the-most-important-thing-is/) [Cesar Romero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-romero/) ## More by William Congreve > [Mr Witwould: "Pray, madam, do you pin up your hair with all your letters? I find I must keep copies." Mrs Millamant: "Only with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-congreve/mr-witwould-pray-madam-do-you-pin-up-your-hair-with-all-your-letters/) [William Congreve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-congreve/) > [He who closes his ears to the views of others shows little confidence in the integrity of his own views.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-congreve/he-who-closes-his-ears-to-the-views-of-others-shows-little-confidence/) [William Congreve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-congreve/) > [Uncertainty and expectation are the joys of life. Security is an insipid thing, through the overtaking and possessing of a wish discovers the folly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-congreve/uncertainty-and-expectation-are-the-joys-of-life-security-is-an/) [William Congreve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-congreve/) > [“One no more owes one's beauty to a lover than one's wit to an echo”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-congreve/one-no-more-owes-one-s-beauty-to-a-lover-than-one-s-wit-to-an-echo/) [william congreve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-congreve/) > [I confess freely to you, I could never look long upon a monkey, without very mortifying reflections.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-congreve/i-confess-freely-to-you-i-could-never-look-long-upon-a-monkey-without/) [William Congreve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-congreve/) > [Marriage is honourable, as you say; and if so, wherefore should Cuckoldom be a Discredit, being deriv'd from so honourable a Root?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-congreve/marriage-is-honourable-as-you-say-and-if-so-wherefore-should/) [William Congreve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-congreve/) > [They are at the end of the gallery; retired to their tea and scandal, according to their ancient custom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-congreve/they-are-at-the-end-of-the-gallery-retired-to-their-tea-and-scandal/) [William Congreve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-congreve/) > [There is in true Beauty, as in Courage, somewhat which narrow Souls cannot dare to admire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-congreve/there-is-in-true-beauty-as-in-courage-somewhat-which-narrow-souls/) [William Congreve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-congreve/) > [I am a fool, I know it; and yet, Heaven help me, I'm poor enough to be a wit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-congreve/i-am-a-fool-i-know-it-and-yet-heaven-help-me-i-m-poor-enough-to-be-a/) [William Congreve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-congreve/) > [There is nothing more unbecoming a man of quality than to laugh ... 'tis such a vulgar expression of the passion!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-congreve/there-is-nothing-more-unbecoming-a-man-of-quality-than-to-laugh-tis/) [William Congreve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-congreve/) > [Honor is a public enemy, and conscience a domestic, and he that would secure his pleasure, must pay a tribute to one and go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-congreve/honor-is-a-public-enemy-and-conscience-a-domestic-and-he-that-would/) [William Congreve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-congreve/) > [“True, 'tis an unhappy circumstance of life that love should ever die before us, and that the man so often should outlive the lover.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-congreve/true-tis-an-unhappy-circumstance-of-life-that-love-should-ever-die/) [William Congreve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-congreve/) > [Believe it, Men have ever been the same, And all the Golden Age is but a Dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-congreve/believe-it-men-have-ever-been-the-same-and-all-the-golden-age-is-but/) [William Congreve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-congreve/) > [She likes herself, yet others hates, For that which in herself she prizes; And while she laughs at them, forgets She is the thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-congreve/she-likes-herself-yet-others-hates-for-that-which-in-herself-she/) [William Congreve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-congreve/) > [I always take blushing either for a sign of guilt, or of ill breeding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-congreve/i-always-take-blushing-either-for-a-sign-of-guilt-or-of-ill-breeding/) [William Congreve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-congreve/) [Explore all 103 William Congreve quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-congreve/) ## More Arguing quotes > [I do wish you wouldn't argue with me when I'm knitting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/i-do-wish-you-wouldn-t-argue-with-me-when-i-m-knitting/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [Any comprehensive doctrine, religious or secular, can be introduced into any political argument at any time, but I argue that people who do this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rawls/any-comprehensive-doctrine-religious-or-secular-can-be-introduced/) [John Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rawls/) > [It's fine to talk about politics with people you agree with. But it is rude to argue about politics with people you disagree with.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-lessig/it-s-fine-to-talk-about-politics-with-people-you-agree-with-but-it-is/) [Lawrence Lessig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-lessig/) > [Men are fair, and they have learned not to personalize anger - they can disagree with you and argue to the bone, but afterward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-farrell/men-are-fair-and-they-have-learned-not-to-personalize-anger-they-can/) [Warren Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-farrell/) > [When Eudæmonidas heard a philosopher arguing that only a wise man can be a good general, "This is a wonderful speech," said he; "but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/when-eud-monidas-heard-a-philosopher-arguing-that-only-a-wise-man-can/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Fasting is required, staying away from fighting and arguing and bombing of masjids is still going on. Hatred is still manifested between Sunni and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-farrakhan/fasting-is-required-staying-away-from-fighting-and-arguing-and/) [Louis Farrakhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-farrakhan/) > [The problem for the Left, however, is that the moment it stops painting the Right as vile, it has to argue the issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/the-problem-for-the-left-however-is-that-the-moment-it-stops-painting/) [Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/) > [To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/to-argue-with-a-person-who-has-renounced-the-use-of-reason-is-like/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [You can argue that the Terminator movies reboot their world each time they go back in time, but that doesn't negate the value of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hayter/you-can-argue-that-the-terminator-movies-reboot-their-world-each-time/) [David Hayter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hayter/) > [We may argue eloquently that 'Honesty is the best Policy' - unfortunately, the moment honesty is adopted for the sake of policy it mysteriously…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/we-may-argue-eloquently-that-honesty-is-the-best-policy-unfortunately/) [Dorothy L. 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