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.

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

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

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?”