Ridicule has historically proven itself a rickety fence for great ideas.

Ridicule has historically proven itself a rickety fence for great ideas.

Ridicule is the best test of truth

Ridicule is the best test of truth

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 like a wolf: it only destroys those who fear it

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

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.]

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

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

And took for truth the test of ridicule.

And took for truth the test of ridicule.

Ridicule is the language of the devil

Ridicule is the language of the devil

Ridicule is the first and last argument of fools.

Ridicule is the first and last argument of fools.