--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: O, they have lived long on the…" description: "\"“O, they have lived long on the alms-basket of words. I marvel thy master hath not eaten thee for a word; for thou art not so long by the head as honor..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc9/william-shakespeare-4_art_o-they-have-lived-long-on-the-alms-baske_840476.jpg" --- # O, they have lived long on the alms-basket of words. I… ![“O, they have lived long on the alms-basket of words. I marvel thy master hath not eaten thee for a word; for thou art not so long by the head as honorificabilitudinitatibus: thou art easier swallowed than a flap-dragon.” quote by William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc9/william-shakespeare-4_art_o-they-have-lived-long-on-the-alms-baske_840476.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc9/william-shakespeare-4_art_o-they-have-lived-long-on-the-alms-baske_840476.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc9/william-shakespeare-4_art_o-they-have-lived-long-on-the-alms-baske_840476.jpg) > ““O, they have lived long on the alms-basket of words. I marvel thy master hath not eaten thee for a word; for thou art not so long by the head as honorificabilitudinitatibus: thou art easier swallowed than a flap-dragon.”” [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. Excessive wordiness can be burdensome; brevity is preferable to avoid being swallowed by language. **In simple terms:** Too many words are heavy. Key Takeaway Prefer concise expression. Themes language brevity communication humor literature Mood playful critical Type literary satirical When to use this quote - writing - public speaking - teaching - debate Key Concepts Rhetoric lexical overload satire Questions to Reflect On - When is elaborate language necessary? - How can humor soften criticism? 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