“He is winding the watch of his wit; by and by it will strike.”
- April 26, 1564 – April 23, 1616
- Born in England
- Playwright, poet, actor
- Wrote many masterpieces such as “Hamlet,” “Romeo and Juliet,” and “Macbeth,” and had a great influence on English literature
Quote
“He is winding the watch of his wit; by and by it will strike.”
Explanation
This quote from Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew uses the metaphor of winding a watch to describe the process of preparing or sharpening one’s thoughts or wit. “He is winding the watch of his wit” suggests that the person is in the process of readying or focusing their cleverness, perhaps thinking or planning carefully. The phrase “by and by it will strike” implies that, once the thoughts or ideas are fully developed, they will be delivered with precision or impact, just as a clock strikes when the time arrives. Essentially, this suggests that the person is about to make an insightful or witty remark, and the moment to do so is approaching.
In modern contexts, this quote can be understood as a reflection on the nature of timing and preparation in conversation or decision-making. It speaks to the process of carefully crafting a response or idea, knowing that the right moment will come to deliver it effectively. For instance, someone might spend time thinking through a clever response or strategy before executing it at the perfect time for maximum impact. The metaphor of winding a watch emphasizes that wit, like strategy, requires careful preparation and the right timing to have the desired effect.
Ultimately, this quote underscores the importance of patience and preparation when it comes to effective communication, suggesting that cleverness or wit is most impactful when it is carefully thought out and delivered at the right moment.
