What does this quote mean?

“Brevity is the soul of wit.”

The line praises compression: saying less can sharpen meaning when the words that remain do real work.

Source note: Hamlet, Act 2, Scene 2; Polonius says this while promising the King and Queen he will be brief, immediately before continuing at comic length. The dramatic irony is part of the line’s context.

“A soft answer turneth away wrath.”

The proverb recommends a restrained response because tone can either lower or intensify conflict.

Source note: Proverbs 15:1 in the King James Version; the proverb contrasts a soft answer with speech that intensifies wrath.

“Angry people are not always wise.”

Strong emotion can narrow judgment, so being certain while angry is not the same as being correct.

Source note: Pride and Prejudice; the line is preserved in the novel’s dialogue about anger, judgment, and the limits of certainty while emotions are high.

“Fish and visitors stink in three days.”

Hospitality has limits, and the humor works by comparing an overlong visit with something that naturally becomes unpleasant over time.

Source note: Poor Richard’s Almanack; a comic maxim about hospitality, boundaries, and overstaying a welcome.

“Give every man thy ear, but few thy voice.”

Listening broadly while speaking selectively is presented as a practical discipline for judgment, relationships, and self-control.

Source note: Act 1, Scene 3; Polonius advises Laertes before his departure.

“The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.”

Even respected language can be quoted selectively, so a citation should be judged by context and purpose rather than authority alone.

Source note: The Merchant of Venice, Act 1, Scene 3.