This quote suggests that those who cannot stand out through their intellectual capacity or profound thinking often resort to humor or clever remarks to gain attention or recognition. This isn’t necessarily negative; it simply highlights different methods people use to make their presence felt or to establish their identity.

The quote points to two distinct ways of gaining recognition – through depth and substance (shining by thought), or through surface-level cleverness (witticisms). The suggestion is that the former is a more commendable and substantial way of gaining recognition, while the latter could be seen as a shortcut or a superficial method.

In today’s context, this could be seen in various social and professional scenarios. For instance, in social media, many influencers or personalities may not necessarily contribute deep, thought-provoking content, but rather, they rely on catchy phrases, humorous content, or sensationalism to gain followers and likes. Similarly, in an office setting, some might not be the most competent or innovative thinkers but they know how to use humor or clever remarks to their advantage in meetings or presentations.

In terms of personal development, this quote could serve as a reminder to strive for depth and substance in our skills and contributions rather than relying solely on surface-level tactics. It encourages us to focus on developing our intellectual and critical thinking abilities, to ‘shine’ through our thoughts, rather than just trying to be the ‘witty’ one. It also highlights the importance of authenticity and genuine intelligence over superficial cleverness.