If anything is spoken in jest, it is not fair to turn it to
earnest.
[Lat., Si quid read more

If anything is spoken in jest, it is not fair to turn it to
earnest.
[Lat., Si quid dictum est per jocum,
Non aequum est id te serio praevortier.]

Joking decides great things,
Stronger and better oft than earnest can.

Joking decides great things,
Stronger and better oft than earnest can.

Of all the griefs that harass the distress'd,
Sure the most bitter is a scornful jest;
Fate read more

Of all the griefs that harass the distress'd,
Sure the most bitter is a scornful jest;
Fate never wounds more deep the generous heart,
Than when a blockhead's insult points the dart.

A jest loses its point when the jester laughs himself.
[Ger., Des Spass verliert Alles, wenn der Spassmacher selber read more

A jest loses its point when the jester laughs himself.
[Ger., Des Spass verliert Alles, wenn der Spassmacher selber
lacht.]

A jest's prosperity lies in the ear
Of him that hears it, never in the tongue
Of read more

A jest's prosperity lies in the ear
Of him that hears it, never in the tongue
Of him that makes it.

That's a good joke but we do it much better in England.

That's a good joke but we do it much better in England.

(Andrew:) I am not such an ass but I can keep my hand dry. But
what's your jest?
read more

(Andrew:) I am not such an ass but I can keep my hand dry. But
what's your jest?
(Maria:) A dry jest, sir.
(Andrew:) Are you full of them?
(Maria:) Ay, sir, I have them at my fingers' ends. Marry, now I
let go your hand, I am barren.

Jesters do oft prove prophets.

Jesters do oft prove prophets.

A bitter jest, when it comes too near the truth, leaves a sharp
sting behind it.
[Lat., Aspere read more

A bitter jest, when it comes too near the truth, leaves a sharp
sting behind it.
[Lat., Aspere facetiae, ubi nimis ex vero traxere,
Acram sui memoriam relinquunt.]