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

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?”

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

Big head, little wit.

Comedy, like sodomy, is an unnatural act.

Jesters do oft prove prophets.

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.

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

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.

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.