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

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

A jest breaks no bones.

There is nothing sillier than a silly laugh.

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

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?”

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

Wit enables us to act rudely with impunity.

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.

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