A jest breaks no bones.

There is nothing sillier than a silly laugh.

Laughter almost ever cometh of things most disproportioned to ourselves and nature. Laughter hath only a scornful tickling.

Jesters do oft prove prophets.

Big head, little wit.

Some things are privileged from jest—namely, religion, matters of state, great persons, all men’s present business of importance, and any case that deserves pity.

Laughter always arises from a gaiety of disposition, absolutely incompatible with contempt and indignation.

A joke is at most a temporary rebellion against virtue, and its aim is not to degrade the human being but to remind him that he is already degraded.

No man ever distinguished himself who could not bear to be laughed at.

Jokes are grievances.

Comedy, like sodomy, is an unnatural act.

I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?”

Jests and scoffs do lessen majesty and greatness and should be far from great personages and men of wisdom.