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.

There is only one step from the sublime to the ridiculous.
[Fr., Du sublime au ridicule il n'y a read more

There is only one step from the sublime to the ridiculous.
[Fr., Du sublime au ridicule il n'y a qu'un pas.]

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.

'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 have always made one prayer to God, a very short one. Here it
is: "My God, make our read more

I have always made one prayer to God, a very short one. Here it
is: "My God, make our enemies very ridiculous!" God has granted
it to me.

Generally the ridiculous touches the sublime.
[Fr., En general, le ridicule touche au sublime.]

Generally the ridiculous touches the sublime.
[Fr., En general, le ridicule touche au sublime.]

I know that there are things that never have been funny, and never will be. And I know that ridicule read more

I know that there are things that never have been funny, and never will be. And I know that ridicule may be a shield, but it is not a weapon.

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

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

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!