Quote by William Shakespeare
My liege, and madam, to expostulateWhat majesty should be, what duty is, Why day is day, night night, and time is time,Were nothing but to waste night, day and time.Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,I will be brief.
Summary
In this quote from Shakespeare's "Hamlet," Polonius is seeking to explain the importance of being succinct in one's speech, asserting that brevity is the essence of humor while long-windedness is mere embellishment. He states that elaborating on what should be self-evident definitions, such as the nature of time and one's obligations, would only be a pointless waste of time and therefore counters his purpose. By being concise, one can effectively communicate ideas while maintaining wit and avoiding tiresome digressions.
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