It is easy to distinguish between the joking that reflects good breeding and that which is coarse—the one, if aired at an apposite moment of mental relaxation, is becoming in the most serious of men, whereas the other is unworthy of any free person, if the content is indecent or the expression obscene.

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.

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

Jokes are grievances.

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

There is nothing sillier than a silly laugh.

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

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

Wit enables us to act rudely with impunity.

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

Comedy, like sodomy, is an unnatural act.

Jesters do oft prove prophets.

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