A despot doesn’t fear eloquent writers preaching freedom — he fears a drunken poet who may crack a joke that will take hold. His gravest concern is lest gaiety, or truth in sheep’s clothing, somewhere gain a foothold, lest joy in some unguarded moment be unconfined.
E. B. White (1899–1985) American author, critic, humorist [Elwyn Brooks "Andy" White]
Essay (1939-01), “One Man’s Meat,” Harper’s Magazine, Vol. 178
(Source)
When collected in his book, One Man's Meat (1942), the essay was renamed "Salt Water Farm." Sometimes the excerpted third section of the essay is referred to as "The Duty of Writers."
Quotations about:
jest
Note not all quotations have been tagged, so Search may find additional quotes on this topic.
Laugh at your Friends, and if your Friends are sore;
So much the better, you may laugh the more.Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English poet
Epilogue to the Satires, Dialogue 1, ll. 55-56 (1738)
(Source)
Merriment is always the effect of a sudden impression. The jest which is expected is already destroyed.
Samuel Johnson (1709–1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Essay (1759-05-26), The Idler, No. 58
(Source)
For ridicule shall frequently prevail,
And cut the knot, when graver reasons fail.[Ridiculum acri
Fortius et melius magnas plerumque secat res.]Horace (65–8 BC) Roman poet, satirist, soldier, politician [Quintus Horatius Flaccus]
Satires [Saturae, Sermones], Book 1, # 10 “Nempe incomposito,” l. 14ff (1.10.14-15) (35 BC) [tr. Francis (1747)]
(Source)
On varying and selecting the proper tone and style when writing.
(Source (Latin)). Other translations:A Drolling merry stile does better hit
Great matters, then a down-right railing Wit.
[tr. A. B.; ed. Brome (1666)]A waggish sneer
Doth nick the great Ones more then a severe.
[tr. Creech (1684)]For oft a smile beyond a frown prevails,
And raillery triumphs where invective fails.
[tr. Howes (1845)]For ridicule often decides matters of importance more effectually and in a better manner, than severity.
[tr. Smart/Buckley (1853)]The satire's jest will generally solve all matters of great moment with more spirit and success than declamation's gravity.
[tr. The Millington (1870)]And pleasantry will often cut clean through
Hard knots that gravity would scarce undo.
[tr. Conington (1874)]Humour very often cuts the knot of serious questions more trenchantly and successfully than severity.
[tr. Wickham (1903)]Jesting oft cuts hard knots more forcefully and effectively than gravity.
[tr. Fairclough (Loeb) (1926)]A jest often decides matters of importance more effectively and happily than seriousness.
[tr. Wells, ed. Kraemer (1936)]A good witticism is often conclusive and forceful
Where a sober remark is not.
[tr. Palmer Bovie (1959)]Frequently a clever stroke is better,
abler in cutting at big problems than something serious.
[tr. Fuchs (1977)]Most times, ridicule cuts sharp and clean
when it deals with serious matters
and arouses indignation for the most part.
[tr. Alexander (1999)]Jokes can slice
knots that blunt earnest attack.
[tr. Matthews (2002)]Humour is often stronger
and more effective than sharpness in cutting knotty issues.
[tr. Rudd (2005 ed.)]Ridicule usually
Cuts through things better, more swiftly, than force.
[tr. Kline (2015)]
