Jane borrow'd maxims from a doubting school,
And took for truth the test of ridicule;
Lucy saw read more

Jane borrow'd maxims from a doubting school,
And took for truth the test of ridicule;
Lucy saw no such virtue in a jest,
Truth was with her of ridicule the test.

Resort is had to ridicule only when reason is against us.

Resort is had to ridicule only when reason is against us.

Ridicule is like a wolf: it only destroys those who fear it

Ridicule is like a wolf: it only destroys those who fear it

I distrust those sentiments that are too far removed from nature,
and whose sublimity is blended with ridicule; which read more

I distrust those sentiments that are too far removed from nature,
and whose sublimity is blended with ridicule; which two are as
near one another as extreme wisdom and folly.

Ridicule is the first and last argument of fools.

Ridicule is the first and last argument of fools.

It frequently happens that where the second line is sublime, the
third, in which he meant to rise still read more

It frequently happens that where the second line is sublime, the
third, in which he meant to rise still higher, is perfectly
bombast.

That passage is what I call the sublime dashed to pieces by
cutting too close with the fiery four-in-hand read more

That passage is what I call the sublime dashed to pieces by
cutting too close with the fiery four-in-hand round the corner of
nonsense.

'Twas the saying of an ancient sage that humour was the only test
of gravity, and gravity of humour. read more

'Twas the saying of an ancient sage that humour was the only test
of gravity, and gravity of humour. For a subject which would not
bear raillery was suspicious; and a jest which would not bear a
serious examination was certainly false wit.
- Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury,

I believe they talked of me, for they laughed consumedly.

I believe they talked of me, for they laughed consumedly.