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

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

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.]

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.

How comes it to pass, then, that we appear such cowards in
reasoning, and are so afraid to stand read more

How comes it to pass, then, that we appear such cowards in
reasoning, and are so afraid to stand the test of ridicule?
- Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury,

Ridicule is the language of the devil.

Ridicule is the language of the devil.

We never repent of having eaten too little.

We never repent of having eaten too little.

'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,

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

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

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.]