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

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

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.

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.

Big head, little wit.