Wit's an unruly engine, wildly striking
Sometimes a friend, sometimes the engineer:
Hast thou the knack? pamper read more

Wit's an unruly engine, wildly striking
Sometimes a friend, sometimes the engineer:
Hast thou the knack? pamper it not with liking;
But if thou want it, buy it not too deare
Many affecting wit beyond their power,
Have got to be a deare fool for an houre.

Do sometimes sink with their own weights.
[Lat., Votre espril en donne aux autres.]

Do sometimes sink with their own weights.
[Lat., Votre espril en donne aux autres.]

Less judgment than wit, is more sail than ballast.

Less judgment than wit, is more sail than ballast.

The distrust of wit is the beginning of tyranny.

The distrust of wit is the beginning of tyranny.

Wit is the salt of conversation, not the food.

Wit is the salt of conversation, not the food.

Wit is far more often a shield than a lance

Wit is far more often a shield than a lance

Wit is educated insolence.

Wit is educated insolence.

Wit is the sudden marriage of ideas which before their union were not perceived to have any relation.

Wit is the sudden marriage of ideas which before their union were not perceived to have any relation.

You can pretend to be serious; you can't pretend to be witty.

You can pretend to be serious; you can't pretend to be witty.