Meaning & Analysis
Intelligent or clever people (good wits) often have the same ideas or thoughts at the same time, causing their conclusions to coincide or 'jump' together.
Insights
Intellectual Harmony
The proverb suggests a natural harmony or resonance between intelligent minds. It implies that great ideas or truths are universal, and those with keen intellects are naturally attuned to them, leading to a spontaneous convergence of thought.
Validation through Consensus
The 'jumping' of wits symbolizes the validation of an idea. When two sharp minds independently arrive at the same conclusion, it reinforces the quality and soundness of the thought, lending it greater credibility.
Synchronicity of Thought
The proverb celebrates the surprising and pleasing nature of intellectual synchronicity. It frames the moment of shared realization not as mere coincidence, but as a delightful and meaningful alignment of thought.
Archaic Language
The proverb's meaning hinges on the archaic definition of 'jump' as 'to agree' or 'coincide', as evidenced in Shakespeare's usage. This linguistic context reveals a focus on intellectual, not physical, alignment.
Psychology of Validation
The expression speaks to the psychological satisfaction of shared intellect. Finding that another person has independently reached the same conclusion provides powerful validation for one's own thought process, reinforcing a sense of connection and intellectual community.
Simultaneous Invention
This proverb is a folk expression of the concept known as 'multiple discovery' in science and innovation, where the same idea or invention arises independently in different minds at roughly the same time, suggesting a shared landscape of intellectual possibility.
Rhetorical Devices
Metaphorical Verb
The dynamic verb 'jump' creates a more energetic and memorable image than a more literal word like 'agree'. It metaphorically depicts thoughts leaping into alignment, adding a sense of spontaneity and excitement.
Conciseness
The proverb is exceptionally brief and uses a simple structure, making it easy to remember and deploy in conversation to comment on a moment of shared thinking.
Personification
'Wits' are personified as independent agents that can perform an action ('jump'), giving life and energy to the abstract concept of thought and intelligence.
Transcription
Quotations
Good wits doe iumpe.
I have heard you say . . Good wits will soone meet.
Good wits may jump.
Like will to like: Good wits will jump (quoth he).
For you know good witts will jumpe.
Good witts commonly jump.
Say'st thou so my Girl! good Wits jump. I had the same thought with thee.
I had that at my tongue's end. —Why, miss, they say good wits jump.
Shakespeare Citations
I have it, Tranio. —Master, for my hand, Both our inventions meet and jump in one. ['agree']
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
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