“True wit is nature to advantage dressed, what oft was thought, but ne'er so well expressed”
— Alexander Pope
Simplified Meaning:
Smart and clever ideas come from understanding the natural world and expressing them in an even better way than before. Imagine a painter who takes a beautiful landscape and turns it into an even more stunning painting. The landscape was always there, but the painter's touch makes it stand out more. Similarly, true wit means taking common ideas and expressing them in a unique and impressive way. For example, in daily conversations, someone might say something very simple, but a witty person can rephrase it to make it sound more interesting or funny. So, real intelligence is about seeing the world clearly and sharing those observations in a special, memorable way. If you want to be witty, focus on understanding things deeply and then expressing them in a fresh and insightful manner.