One must be a wise reader to quote wisely and well.

The sentence draws a distinction between repeating words and understanding them. To “quote wisely and well” implies selecting passages that genuinely illuminate a point, fit their context, and are used ethically—without distortion or showmanship. Alcott suggests that this skill depends on being a “wise reader”: someone who reads attentively, grasps nuance, and integrates what is read into judgment and character. The aphorism also critiques superficial erudition—using quotations as ornament or authority—by insisting that quotation should be the fruit of comprehension. In a broader sense, it treats reading as an active, interpretive act: wisdom is not in the text alone, but in the reader’s capacity to apprehend and apply it.