Great wits and valours, like great states,
Do sometimes sink with their own weights.

Great wits and valours, like great states,
Do sometimes sink with their own weights.

Their heads sometimes so little that there is no room for wit;
sometimes so long, that there is no read more

Their heads sometimes so little that there is no room for wit;
sometimes so long, that there is no wit for so much room.

At our wittes end.

At our wittes end.

With little wit and ease to suit them,
They whirl in narrow circling trails,
Like kittens playing read more

With little wit and ease to suit them,
They whirl in narrow circling trails,
Like kittens playing with their tails.
[Ger., Mit wenig Witz und viel Behagen
Dreht jeder sich im engen Zirkeltanz
Wie junge Katzen mit dem Schwanz.]

Don't put too fine a point to your wit for fear it should get
blunted.

Don't put too fine a point to your wit for fear it should get
blunted.

The next best thing to being witty one's self, is to be able to quote another's wit.

The next best thing to being witty one's self, is to be able to quote another's wit.

Ev'n wit's a burthen, when it talks too long.

Ev'n wit's a burthen, when it talks too long.

Wit's an unruly engine, wildly striking
Sometimes a friend, sometimes the engineer:
Hast thou the knack? pamper read more

Wit's an unruly engine, wildly striking
Sometimes a friend, sometimes the engineer:
Hast thou the knack? pamper it not with liking;
But if thou want it, buy it not too deare
Many affecting wit beyond their power,
Have got to be a deare fool for an houre.

Do sometimes sink with their own weights.
[Lat., Votre espril en donne aux autres.]

Do sometimes sink with their own weights.
[Lat., Votre espril en donne aux autres.]