The ability to quote is a serviceable substitute for wit.
Meaning
Maugham humorously points out that repeating others' ideas can sometimes give the impression of intelligence or wit, even without original thinking.
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Why This Quote Matters
Readers return to Somerset Maugham for lines like this because they frame Humor, Thinking without noise. In fewer words than expected, it says Maugham humorously points out that repeating others' ideas can sometimes give the impression of intelligence or wit, even without original thinking.
It can be a bookmark for mornings, a pause before replies, a filter for goals. Small and steady beats sudden and short-lived, every time.
How to Apply This Quote in Life
Teach it once: a single example of Humor done well beats a long speech. Let Somerset Maugham’s example set the bar, not someone else’s highlight reel.
It’s less about discipline and more about reducing friction. One step, repeated, is the entire strategy.
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