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

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.

Jokes are grievances.

Jesters do oft prove prophets.

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

Comedy, like sodomy, is an unnatural act.

There is nothing sillier than a silly laugh.

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.

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

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

Big head, little wit.

Wit enables us to act rudely with impunity.

A jest breaks no bones.