One does not lash what lies at a distance. The foibles that we ridicule must at least be a little read more

One does not lash what lies at a distance. The foibles that we ridicule must at least be a little bit our own. Only then will the work be a part of our own flesh. The garden must be weeded.

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.

Scoff not at the natural defects of any which are not in their power to amend. It is cruel to read more

Scoff not at the natural defects of any which are not in their power to amend. It is cruel to beat a cripple with his own crutches!

Poverty and War have no excuse.

Poverty and War have no excuse.

Man learns more readily and remembers more willingly what excites his ridicule than what deserves esteem and respect.

Man learns more readily and remembers more willingly what excites his ridicule than what deserves esteem and respect.

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.

We never repent of having eaten too little.

We never repent of having eaten too little.

Ridicule more often settles things more thoroughly and better
than acrimony.
[Lat., Ridiculum acri fortius ac melius magnas read more

Ridicule more often settles things more thoroughly and better
than acrimony.
[Lat., Ridiculum acri fortius ac melius magnas plerumque secat
res.]

There is nothing one sees oftener than the ridiculous and
magnificent, such close neighbors that they touch.
[Fr., read more

There is nothing one sees oftener than the ridiculous and
magnificent, such close neighbors that they touch.
[Fr., L'on ne saurait mieux faire voir que le magnifique et le
ridicule sont si voisins qu'ils se touchent.]