Archive

Quotes

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.

—Francis Bacon, 1597

A difference of taste in jokes is a great strain on the affections.

—George Eliot, 1876

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

—Philip Sidney, 1582

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.

—George Orwell, 1945

Wit enables us to act rudely with impunity.

—La Rochefoucauld, 1678

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

—Maria Edgeworth, 1809

Jesters do oft prove prophets.

—William Shakespeare, c. 1605

I used to think that everyone was just being funny. But now I don’t know. I mean, how can you tell?

—Andy Warhol, 1970

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

—Henry Peacham, 1622

Big head, little wit.

—French proverb

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

—Book of Ecclesiastes, 225 BC

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

—Voltaire, 1736

Comedy, like sodomy, is an unnatural act.

—Marty Feldman, 1969