I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?”
—Book of Ecclesiastes, 225 BC
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Quotes
No man ever distinguished himself who could not bear to be laughed at.
—Maria Edgeworth, 1809Jesters do oft prove prophets.
—William Shakespeare, c. 1605Wit enables us to act rudely with impunity.
—La Rochefoucauld, 1678Laughter always arises from a gaiety of disposition, absolutely incompatible with contempt and indignation.
—Voltaire, 1736