As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends, / I must not look to have; but, in their stead, / Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath, / Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not" (5.3.25-28).
William ShakespeareRead
The dullness of the fool is the whetstone of the wits.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Wisdom and intelligence can be sharpened by encountering foolishness.
This quote by Shakespeare suggests that interactions with foolishness can help enhance one's own understanding and intelligence. The idea is that the mistakes and ignorance of others serve as lessons for the wise, sharpening their wit and insight as they learn from these contrasts.
Themes
WisdomFoolishnessLearningIntelligenceExperience
In practice
Example use cases
During a class discussion about personal growth, one might say this quote to illustrate the importance of learning from others' mistakes.
More from William Shakespeare
All quotes βLove bears it out even to the edge of doom.
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Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people.
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Absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it; the one brings fuel, the other blows it till it burns clear.
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Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying!
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Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
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It is easier to act yourself into a new way of feeling than to feel yourself into a new way of acting.
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