Comedy, like sodomy, is an unnatural act.

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.

Wit enables us to act rudely with impunity.

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

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

Jesters do oft prove prophets.

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

Big head, little wit.

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?”

Jokes are grievances.

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.