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.

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

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

Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio, a fellow of infinite
jest, of most excellent fancy. He hath borne read more

Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio, a fellow of infinite
jest, of most excellent fancy. He hath borne me on his back a
thousand times. And now how abhorred in my imagination it is!

A college joke to cure the dumps.

A college joke to cure the dumps.

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.]

Less at thine own things laugh; lest in the jest
Thy person share, and the conceit advance,
read more

Less at thine own things laugh; lest in the jest
Thy person share, and the conceit advance,
Make not thy sport abuses: for the fly
That feeds on dung is colored thereby.

(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.

No time to break jests when the heartstrings are about to be
broken.

No time to break jests when the heartstrings are about to be
broken.

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.