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

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.

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.

There is nothing sillier than a silly laugh.

Jokes are grievances.

A jest breaks no bones.

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

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

He who laugheth too much, hath the nature of a fool; he that laugheth not at all, hath the nature of an old cat.

Jesters do oft prove prophets.

Big head, little wit.

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