This man [Chesterfield] I thought had been a lord among wits; but
I find he is only a wit read more

This man [Chesterfield] I thought had been a lord among wits; but
I find he is only a wit among lords.

Wit is cultured insolence.

Wit is cultured insolence.

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.

An ounce of wit is worth a pound of sorrow.

An ounce of wit is worth a pound of sorrow.

Ev'n wit's a burthen, when it talks too long.

Ev'n wit's a burthen, when it talks too long.

Wit has truth in it; wisecracking is simply calisthenics with words.

Wit has truth in it; wisecracking is simply calisthenics with words.

Great wits and valours, like great states,
Do sometimes sink with their own weights.

Great wits and valours, like great states,
Do sometimes sink with their own weights.

Wit, like money, bears an extra value when rung down immediately
it is wanted. Men pay severely who require read more

Wit, like money, bears an extra value when rung down immediately
it is wanted. Men pay severely who require credit.

Insanity destroys reason, but not wit.

Insanity destroys reason, but not wit.