---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He is winding the watch of his wit; by…"
description: "\"He is winding the watch of his wit; by and by it will strike.\" — William Shakespeare"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/418/william-shakespeare-4_wit_he-is-winding-the-watch-of-his-wit-by-an_1307655.jpg"
---

#  He is winding the watch of his wit; by and by it will…

![“He is winding the watch of his wit; by and by it will strike.” quote by William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/418/william-shakespeare-4_wit_he-is-winding-the-watch-of-his-wit-by-an_1307655.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/418/william-shakespeare-4_wit_he-is-winding-the-watch-of-his-wit-by-an_1307655.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/418/william-shakespeare-4_wit_he-is-winding-the-watch-of-his-wit-by-an_1307655.jpg)

> “He is winding the watch of his wit; by and by it will strike.”

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

## About This Quote

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

Wit sharpens over time; eventually it will produce results.

**In simple terms:** Wit matures and yields.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate sharp thinking.

Themes

wisdom patience wit

Mood

reflective playful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- writing
- public speaking
- problem solving
- leadership

Key Concepts

intellectual development humor timing

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance wit with sincerity?
- When does wit become harmful?

A Different Perspective

Wit can be misused or misunderstood.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Winding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/winding/) [Wit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wit/)

## Related quotes

> [“Watch out he's winding the watch of his wit, by and by it will strike.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/watch-out-he-s-winding-the-watch-of-his-wit-by-and-by-it-will-strike/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [You can't do everything, at the same time, always, and forever. But if you look at your life and your career as a long,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacey-snider/you-can-t-do-everything-at-the-same-time-always-and-forever-but-if/)

[Stacey Snider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacey-snider/)

> [Publishing a protocol under the name Atom that tries to capture all of the prior art in this stage and might provide a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-bray/publishing-a-protocol-under-the-name-atom-that-tries-to-capture-all/)

[Tim Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-bray/)

> [I collect travel alarm clocks. I was in a flea market in France once, in 1994, and I opened up this beautiful Jaeger-LeCoultre folding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alec-baldwin/i-collect-travel-alarm-clocks-i-was-in-a-flea-market-in-france-once/)

[Alec Baldwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alec-baldwin/)

> [The world is a clock winding down.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-yancey/the-world-is-a-clock-winding-down/)

[Rick Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-yancey/)

> [To be honest, the real reason I did 'Drive' was because of Nicolas Winding Refn, the director.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-hendricks/to-be-honest-the-real-reason-i-did-drive-was-because-of-nicolas/)

[Christina Hendricks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-hendricks/)

> [With the winding down of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the United States now has an opportunity to implement real defense reforms without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-hegseth/with-the-winding-down-of-the-conflicts-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-the/)

[Pete Hegseth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-hegseth/)

> [And telling a story, I suppose, is like winding a skein of spun yarn- you sometimes lose track of the beginning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-pattou/and-telling-a-story-i-suppose-is-like-winding-a-skein-of-spun-yarn/)

[Edith Pattou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-pattou/)

> [Since I was a child, I've gone to bed when things get too much. As a result, I have more trouble winding up than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-starkey/since-i-was-a-child-i-ve-gone-to-bed-when-things-get-too-much-as-a/)

[David Starkey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-starkey/)

> [I'm just angry at the sort of things that are winding up in ground beef. I'm angry that other people - mainly children -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-schlosser/i-m-just-angry-at-the-sort-of-things-that-are-winding-up-in-ground/)

[Eric Schlosser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-schlosser/)

> [The simple life on the farm was everything to me. Nothing was more relaxing after a long plane flight than to reach the winding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-kubler-ross/the-simple-life-on-the-farm-was-everything-to-me-nothing-was-more/)

[Elisabeth Kubler-Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-kubler-ross/)

> [An easy approach to the walls must be provided against: indeed they should be surrounded by uneven ground, and the roads leading to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/an-easy-approach-to-the-walls-must-be-provided-against-indeed-they/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [There's this idea that at 53 somehow you're winding down. Rubbish!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andi-oliver/there-s-this-idea-that-at-53-somehow-you-re-winding-down-rubbish/)

[Andi Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andi-oliver/)

> [Car love is the sound of a throaty V-8 rumbling and revving, the acceleration throwing you back in the seat - especially when you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/car-love-is-the-sound-of-a-throaty-v-8-rumbling-and-revving-the/)

[John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/)

> [Sorry, I don't do castles. I hate those winding turret stairs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-graham/sorry-i-don-t-do-castles-i-hate-those-winding-turret-stairs/)

[Laurie Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-graham/)

## More by William Shakespeare

> [Let us kill all lawyers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/let-us-kill-all-lawyers/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [A horse, a horse, my kingdom for a horse!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/a-horse-a-horse-my-kingdom-for-a-horse/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [O tiger's heart wrapped in a woman's hide!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/o-tiger-s-heart-wrapped-in-a-woman-s-hide/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [Divers philosophers hold that the lips is parcel of the mouth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/divers-philosophers-hold-that-the-lips-is-parcel-of-the-mouth/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [Short time seems long in sorrow's sharp sustaining.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/short-time-seems-long-in-sorrow-s-sharp-sustaining/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [“Love is a smoke made with the fume of sighs; Being purg'd, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes; Being vex'd, a sea nourish'd with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/love-is-a-smoke-made-with-the-fume-of-sighs-being-purg-d-a-fire/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [I, measuring his affections by my own, Which then most sought where most might not be found, Being one too many by my weary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/i-measuring-his-affections-by-my-own-which-then-most-sought-where/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [Ask God for temp'rance. That's th' appliance only Which your disease requires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/ask-god-for-temp-rance-that-s-th-appliance-only-which-your-disease/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [“Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies Which busy care draws in the brains of men; Therefore thou sleep’st so sound. Julius Caesar (2.1.248-251)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/thou-hast-no-figures-nor-no-fantasies-which-busy-care-draws-in-the/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [Truth needs no color; beauty, no pencil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/truth-needs-no-color-beauty-no-pencil/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [Have you not heard it said full oft, A woman's nay doth stand for naught?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/have-you-not-heard-it-said-full-oft-a-woman-s-nay-doth-stand-for/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [Omittance is no quittance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/omittance-is-no-quittance/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [“Yes, madam: yet I cannot choose but laugh, To think it should leave crying and say 'Ay.' And yet, I warrant, it had upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/yes-madam-yet-i-cannot-choose-but-laugh-to-think-it-should-leave/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

> [I take thee at thy word: Call me but love, and I'll be new baptized; Henceforth I never will be Romeo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/i-take-thee-at-thy-word-call-me-but-love-and-i-ll-be-new-baptized/)

[William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

[Explore all 5,604 William Shakespeare quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/)

## More Watch quotes

> [I don't wear a watch because I want my arms to weigh the same. So if somebody asks me what time it is, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/i-don-t-wear-a-watch-because-i-want-my-arms-to-weigh-the-same-so-if/)

[Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/)

> [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/)

[Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/)

> [I had an idea for a technologically advanced luxury watch. I got involved in digital art and neon painting and put on shows of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giorgio-moroder/i-had-an-idea-for-a-technologically-advanced-luxury-watch-i-got/)

[Giorgio Moroder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giorgio-moroder/)

> [A lot of people have been saying 'The 100' reminds them of 'Lord Of The Flies,' 'Lost' and 'Battlestar Galactica,' and all of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-avgeropoulos/a-lot-of-people-have-been-saying-the-100-reminds-them-of-lord-of-the/)

[Marie Avgeropoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-avgeropoulos/)

> [Safin, in his way, is very talented. It is a joy to watch them play; it is tennis of a very high quality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-krajicek/safin-in-his-way-is-very-talented-it-is-a-joy-to-watch-them-play-it/)

[Richard Krajicek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-krajicek/)

> [I always remember what my dad told me when I decided to turn into an actor. He was emphatic that whatever I do, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karthi/i-always-remember-what-my-dad-told-me-when-i-decided-to-turn-into-an/)

[Karthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karthi/)

> [When we watch a film as actors, you have to understand that we always see much more than what's on screen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-khemu/when-we-watch-a-film-as-actors-you-have-to-understand-that-we-always/)

[Kunal Khemu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-khemu/)

> [I like 'The Usual Suspects'. Great film. I also like 'Scarface', films like that. Lots of gangster films. I really like watching all kinds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barkhad-abdi/i-like-the-usual-suspects-great-film-i-also-like-scarface-films-like/)

[Barkhad Abdi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barkhad-abdi/)

> [I think cricket is there in Usain Bolt's blood. Since I got to watch from close quarters, it was amazing to see him run…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harbhajan-singh/i-think-cricket-is-there-in-usain-bolt-s-blood-since-i-got-to-watch/)

[Harbhajan Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harbhajan-singh/)

> [I have my meals delivered... you know what I like? Chicken and rice... But the problem with being a defensive lineman is, if we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-douglas/i-have-my-meals-delivered-you-know-what-i-like-chicken-and-rice-but/)

[Hugh Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-douglas/)

> [Not too many people out there are interested in Russia so much that they really want to watch things about Russia and only about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margarita-simonyan/not-too-many-people-out-there-are-interested-in-russia-so-much-that/)

[Margarita Simonyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margarita-simonyan/)

> [I became an MP in 2017 and have been around to watch Liberal Democrat party membership soar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/layla-moran/i-became-an-mp-in-2017-and-have-been-around-to-watch-liberal-democrat/)

[Layla Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/layla-moran/)

> [When we watch a play under the standard circumstances, we've lost volition and time is passing. A still play feels like an existential threat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-greenberg/when-we-watch-a-play-under-the-standard-circumstances-we-ve-lost/)

[Richard Greenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-greenberg/)

> [Watch what you say and do because little eyes are watching you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/watch-what-you-say-and-do-because-little-eyes-are-watching-you/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [You know, I read the papers and I watch the news a lot. I watch 'Dateline' and '48 Hours'. And I think we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-galecki/you-know-i-read-the-papers-and-i-watch-the-news-a-lot-i-watch/)

[Johnny Galecki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-galecki/)

Browse all 5,227 Watch quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "He is winding the watch of his wit; by and by it will strike.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "William Shakespeare"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/he-is-winding-the-watch-of-his-wit-by-and-by-it-will-strike/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Watch"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/he-is-winding-the-watch-of-his-wit-by-and-by-it-will-strike/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/418/william-shakespeare-4_wit_he-is-winding-the-watch-of-his-wit-by-an_1307655.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/418/william-shakespeare-4_wit_he-is-winding-the-watch-of-his-wit-by-an_1307655.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/418/william-shakespeare-4_wit_he-is-winding-the-watch-of-his-wit-by-an_1307655.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“He is winding the watch of his wit; by and by it will strike.” — William Shakespeare",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "William Shakespeare",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "He is winding the watch of...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/he-is-winding-the-watch-of-his-wit-by-and-by-it-will-strike/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/he-is-winding-the-watch-of-his-wit-by-and-by-it-will-strike/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
