A small glass dish of black beads with a spoon beside a jar of orange marmalade and a knife.

Original artwork, not a still

Noel Coward

Wit ought to be a glorious treat, like caviar. Never spread it about like marmalade.

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

The speaker compares wit with a special delicacy, then warns against spreading it as freely as marmalade. The food contrast makes restraint part of the pleasure. Cleverness is presented as something to savour in select moments, rather than apply to every occasion.

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