The Characters [Les Caractères], ch. 1 "Of Works of the Mind [Des Ouvrages de l'Esprit]," § 50 (1.50) (1688) [tr. Van Laun (1885)] - La Bruyere, Jean de | WIST Quotations
What is the reason that we laugh so freely in a theatre but are ashamed to weep? Is it less natural to be melted by what excites pity than to burst into laughter at what is comical? [...] It is not thought odd to hear a whole theatre ring with…
