Did William Shakespeare say “Brevity is the soul of wit”?

Did William Shakespeare say “Brevity is the soul of wit”?

Found word for word. Yes. The text appears in works attributed to William Shakespeare. Source and location below.

… tulate What majesty should be, what duty is, Why day is day, night is night, and time is time. Were nothing but to waste night, day, and time. Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit, And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes, I will be brief. Your noble son is mad. Mad call I it; for, to define true madness, What is't but to be nothing else but mad? But let that go. Queen. More matter, with less art. Pol. Madam, I swear I use no art at all. That he is mad, 'tis true: 'tis true 'tis pity; And pity 'tis 'tis true. A foolish figure! But farewell it, for I will use no art. Mad let us grant him then. And now remains That we find out the cause of this effect- Or rat …
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare — William Shakespeare, Scene II. Elsinore. A room in the Castle. · ¶1249 · Public domain (US), Project Gutenberg #100 · source

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