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His wit invites you by his looks to come,
But when you knock, it never is at home.
His wit invites you by his looks to come,
But when you knock, it never is at home.
Wit is far more often a shield than a lance
Wit is far more often a shield than a lance
He who has provoked the shaft of wit, cannot complain that he smarts from it.
He who has provoked the shaft of wit, cannot complain that he smarts from it.
As a wit, if not first, in the very first line.
As a wit, if not first, in the very first line.
Wit, now and then, struck smartly, shows a spark.
Wit, now and then, struck smartly, shows a spark.
We grant, although he had much wit,
H' was very shy of using it,
As being loth read more
We grant, although he had much wit,
H' was very shy of using it,
As being loth to wear it out,
And therefore bore it not about;
Unless on holy days or so,
As men their best apparel do.
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.
Humor is the only test of gravity, and gravity of humor; for a subject which will not bear raillery is read more
Humor is the only test of gravity, and gravity of humor; for a subject which will not bear raillery is suspicious, and a jest which will not bear serious examination is false wit.
