Wit is the lightning of the mind.

Meaning: Sudden brilliance illuminates truth instantly, but like lightning, its flash vanishes quickly unless captured.

Origin: From 'A Dictionary of English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases' (1870). Public domain.

More proverbs about Wisdom

You may truss up all his wit in an egg-shell. — Wit confined to theoretical cleverness without practical application remains insignifican…
Wit may be bought too dear. — Cleverness obtained through deception, betrayal, or moral compromise exacts a hidden cost…
He that lives upon his wits, breaks for want of stock. — A person relying solely on cleverness without resources or preparation will eventually fa…
Wolves lose their teeth, but not their memory. — Even when weakened by age, enemies retain grudges and cunning, remaining dangerous throug…
A wonder lasts but nine days. — Public fascination with novelty inevitably fades as the extraordinary becomes familiar an…
To woo is a pleasure in young men, a fault in old. — Courtship befits youth's exuberance but reveals desperation or impropriety in the aged.

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