A jest's prosperity lies in the ear of him that hears it, never in the tongue of him that makes it

A jest's prosperity lies in the ear of him that hears it, never in the tongue of him that makes it

In the world of William Shakespeare, wit and humor were highly valued qualities. The quote “A jest's prosperity lies in the ear of him that hears it, never in the tongue of him that makes it” speaks to the idea that the success of a joke or jest depends on the perception and understanding of the audience, rather than the skill of the person delivering it.

Shakespeare was a master of wordplay and clever banter, and his plays are filled with witty jokes and humorous exchanges. However, he understood that the effectiveness of a joke or jest was not solely determined by the cleverness of the person delivering it, but also by the receptiveness and interpretation of the audience.