WIST Quotations

Thurber, James -- Interview (1959-03-24) by Edward R. Murrow, Small World, CBS-TV

Dave — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:43:12 +0000

By definition, humor is gentle. The savage, the cruel, the harsh would fall under the heading of wit and/or satire, as the lawyers say. Now, my definitions are these: The wit makes fun of other persons; the satirist makes fun of the world; the humorist makes fun of himself, but in so doing, he identifies himself with people — that is, people everywhere, not for the purpose of taking them apart, but simply revealing their true nature.

James Thurber (1894-1961) American humorist, cartoonist, writer
Interview (1959-03-24) by Edward R. Murrow, Small World, CBS-TV
(Source)

When Siobhan McKenna, one of the other guests, made a comment about "cruel humor."

The transcript was printed as "That Girl in Galway" in the next (?) day's New York Post.

Franklin, Benjamin -- Poor Richard (1740 ed.)

Dave — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 15:18:18 +0000

Tricks and Treachery are the Practice of Fools, that have not Wit enough to be honest.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American statesman, scientist, philosopher, aphorist
Poor Richard (1740 ed.)
(Source)

Borrowed without attribution from La Rochefoucauld (1665).

Moliere -- (Misattributed)

Dave — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 20:02:12 +0000

Beauty without intelligence is like a hook without bait.

Molière (1622-1673) French playwright, actor [stage name for Jean-Baptiste Poquelin]
(Misattributed)

Widely attributed to Moliere, and usually to his play Tartuffe. An extensive look across multiple translations of that and other Moliere plays finds no reference to any of those four nouns that at all resembles this sentiment.

Instead, the phrase appears to originate from Ninon de Lenclos (1620-1705), French letter writer, courtesan, and salonnière. Moliere knew her when he was a child. Attributed to her is the phrase "La beauté sans grâce est un hameçon sans appât," which sometimes is translated as above, or as "Beauty without grace ...."

Bolt, Robert -- A Man for All Seasons, play, Act 2 (1960)

Dave — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 20:43:15 +0000

MORE: Now listen, Will. And, Meg, you know I know you well, you listen too. God made the angels to show him splendour — as he made animals for innocence and plants for their simplicity. But Man he made to serve him wittily, in the tangle of his mind! If he suffers us to fall to such a case that there is no escaping, then we may stand to our tackle as best we can, and yes, Will, then we may clamour like champions — if we have the spittle for it. And no doubt it delights God to see splendour where he only looked for complexity. But it’s God’s part, not our own, to bring ourselves to that extremity! Our natural business lies in escaping.

Robert Bolt (1924-1995) English dramatist
A Man for All Seasons, play, Act 2 (1960)
(Source)

In Bolt's 1966 film adaptation, this takes place in a slightly different and is slightly shortened:

MORE: Listen, Meg, God made the angels to show Him splendor, as He made animals for innocence and plants for their simplicity. But Man He made to serve Him wittily, in the tangle of his mind. If He suffers us to come to such a case that there is no escaping, then we may stand to our tackle as best we can, and, yes, Meg, then we can clamor like champions, if we have the spittle for it. But it's God's part, not our own, to bring ourselves to such a pass. Our natural business lies in escaping.

Shakespeare, William -- Henry IV, Part 2, Act 1, sc. 2, l. 9ff (1.2.9-11) (c. 1598)

Dave — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 20:15:18 +0000

FALSTAFF: I am not only witty in myself, but the cause that wit is in other men.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) English dramatist and poet
Henry IV, Part 2, Act 1, sc. 2, l. 9ff (1.2.9-11) (c. 1598)
(Source)

Antrim, Minna -- Naked Truth and Veiled Allusions (1902)

Dave — Fri, 20 Dec 2024 20:50:44 +0000

A witticism is that clever thing you wish you had said, not listened to.

Minna Antrim (1861-1950) American epigrammatist, writer
Naked Truth and Veiled Allusions (1902)
(Source)

La Bruyere, Jean de -- The Characters [Les Caractères], ch. 1 “Of Works of the Mind [Des Ouvrages de l’Esprit],” § 3 (1.3) (1688) [tr. Stewart (1970)]

Dave — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 18:47:23 +0000

Making a book is a craft, like making a clock; it needs more than native wit to become an author.

[C’est un métier que de faire un livre, comme de faire une pendule: il faut plus que de l’esprit pour être auteur.]

Jean de La Bruyère (1645-1696) French essayist, moralist
The Characters [Les Caractères], ch. 1 “Of Works of the Mind [Des Ouvrages de l’Esprit],” § 3 (1.3) (1688) [tr. Stewart (1970)]
(Source)

(Source (French)). Alternate translations:

To make a Book, is like making a Pendulum, a Man must have Experience, as well as Wit to succeed in it.
[Bullord ed. (1696)]

Tis as much a Trade to make a Book, as to make a Watch; there's something more than Wit requisite to make an Author.
[Curll ed. (1713)]

To make a Book, is no less a Trade than to make a Clock; something more than Wit is necessary to form an Author.
[Browne ed. (1752)]

To make a book is as much a trade as to make a clock; something more than intelligence is required to become an author.
[tr. Van Laun (1885)]

Montesquieu -- Persian Letters [Lettres Persanes], Letter 66, Rica to *** (1721) [tr. MacKenzie (2014), No. 64]

Dave — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 19:43:55 +0000

The mania afflicting most French people is the desire to be witty, and the mania afflicting those who want to be witty is the desire to write books.
However, this is a very bad idea.

[La fureur de la plupart des François, c’est d’avoir de l’esprit ; et la fureur de ceux qui veulent avoir de l’esprit, c’est de faire des livres.
Cependant il n’y a rien de si mal imaginé.]

Charles-Lewis de Secondat, Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755) French political philosopher
Persian Letters [Lettres Persanes], Letter 66, Rica to *** (1721) [tr. MacKenzie (2014), No. 64]
(Source)

(Source (French)). Alternate translations:

The Predominant Passion or rather Fury of most of the French is, to be thought Wits; and the Predominant passion of those who would be thought Wits, is to write Books.
And yet there is nothing so ill-contrived.
[tr. Ozell (1736 ed.), No. 64]

The passion of most of the French is to be taken for wits, and the passion of thole who would be thought wits, is to write books. And yet there is nothing so badly imagined.
[tr. Floyd (1762)]

The passion of nearly every Frenchman, is to pass for a wit; and the passion of those who wish to be thought wits, is to write books.
There never was such an erroneous idea.
[tr. Davidson (1891)]

The passion of most Frenchmen is to be thought wits ; and the passion of those who wish to be thought wits is to write books.
It is impossible to imagine a more unfortunate mania.
[tr. Betts (1897)]

The passion of most of the French is to be thought witty, and the passion of those who wish to be considered wits is to write books.
A worse misconception cannot be imagined.
[tr. Healy (1964)]

Most Frenchmen are desperately eager to be thought witty and, of those who seek to be witty, most are desperately eager to write a book.
No plan, however, could be less well conceived.
[tr. Mauldon (2008), No. 64]

Colton, Charles Caleb -- Lacon: Or, Many Things in Few Words, Vol. 1, § 71 (1820)

Dave — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 16:37:54 +0000

An elegant writer has observed, that wit may do very well for a mistress, but that he should prefer reason for a wife. He that deserts the latter, and gives himself up entirely to the guidance of the former, will certainly fall into many pitfalls and quagmires, like him, who walks by flashes of lightning, rather than by the steady beams of the sun.

Charles Caleb "C. C." Colton (1780-1832) English cleric, writer, aphorist
Lacon: Or, Many Things in Few Words, Vol. 1, § 71 (1820)
(Source)

La Bruyere, Jean de -- The Characters [Les Caractères], ch. 5 “Of Society and Conversation [De la Société et de la Conversation],” § 18 (5.18) (1688) [tr. Van Laun (1885)]

Dave — Wed, 10 Jan 2024 15:14:06 +0000

It is a sad thing when men have neither enough intelligence to speak well nor enough sense to hold their tongues.

[C’est une grande misère que de n’avoir pas assez d’esprit pour bien parler, ni assez de jugement pour se taire.]

Jean de La Bruyère (1645-1696) French essayist, moralist
The Characters [Les Caractères], ch. 5 “Of Society and Conversation [De la Société et de la Conversation],” § 18 (5.18) (1688) [tr. Van Laun (1885)]
(Source)

(Source (French)). Alternate translations:

'Tis a sad thing when Men have neither Wit enough to speak well, nor Sense enough to hold their tongues.
[Bullord ed. (1696)]

'Tis a sad thing when Men have neither Wit enough to speak well, nor Judgment enough to hold their Tongues.
[Curll ed. (1713)]

It is a sad Thing when Men have neither Wit to speak well, nor Judgment to hold their Tongues.
[Browne ed. (1752)]

It is a great misfortune to have neither wit enough to talk well nor sense enough to keep silence.
[tr. Stewart (1970)]

Poole, Mary Pettibone -- A Glass Eye at a Keyhole, “Excess Prophets” (1938)

Dave — Thu, 05 Oct 2023 22:39:17 +0000

The next best thing to being clever is being able to quote some one who is.

Mary Pettibone Poole (fl. 1930s) American aphorist
A Glass Eye at a Keyhole, “Excess Prophets” (1938)
(Source)

Post, Emily -- Etiquette: The Blue Book of Social Usage, ch. 6 “The Art of Conversation” (1922; 1955 10th ed.)

Dave — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 15:13:31 +0000

Ideal conversation must be an exchange of thought, and not, as many of those who worry most about their shortcomings believe, an eloquent exhibition of wit or oratory.

Emily Post (1872-1960) American author, columnist [née Price]
Etiquette: The Blue Book of Social Usage, ch. 6 “The Art of Conversation” (1922; 1955 10th ed.)
(Source)

Kierkegaard, Soren -- Journal (1836-04) [tr. Hannay (1982)]

Dave — Thu, 20 Jul 2023 22:46:48 +0000

I have just now come from a party where I was its life and soul; witticisms streamed from my lips, everyone laughed and admired me, but I went away — yes, the dash should be as long as the radius of the earth’s orbit ——————————— and wanted to shoot myself.

Søren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) Danish philosopher, theologian
Journal (1836-04) [tr. Hannay (1982)]
(Source)

Papieren: 1 A 161; KJN: NB 2:53. Alternate translations:

I have just returned from a party of which I was the life and soul; wit poured from my lips, everyone laughed and admired me -- but I went away -- and the dash should be as long as the earth's orbit ——————————— and wanted to shoot myself.
[tr. Dru (1938)]

I have just come back from a party where I was the life and soul. Witticisms flowed from my lips. Everyone laughed and admired me -- but I left, yes, that dash should be as long as the radii of the earth's orbit ——————————— and wanted to shoot myself.
[tr. Hannay (1996)]

Aristotle -- Rhetoric [Ῥητορική; Ars Rhetorica], Book 2, ch. 12, sec. 16 (2.12.16) / 1389b.11 (350 BC) [tr. Freese (1926)]

Dave — Fri, 05 Mar 2021 22:34:19 +0000

Wit is cultured insolence.

[ἡ γὰρ εὐτραπελία πεπαιδευμένη ὕβρις ἐστίν.]

Aristotle (384-322 BC) Greek philosopher
Rhetoric [Ῥητορική; Ars Rhetorica], Book 2, ch. 12, sec. 16 (2.12.16) / 1389b.11 (350 BC) [tr. Freese (1926)]
(Source)

(Source (Greek)). Alternate translations:

"Wit is a refined petulance." [Source (1847)]

"Facetiousness is chastened forwardness of manner." [tr. Buckley (1850)]

"Wit is educated insolence." [tr. Jebb (1873)]

"Wit being well-bred insolence." [tr. Roberts (1924)]

"Wittiness is educated insolence." [tr. Bartlett (2019)]

Palahniuk, Chuck -- Haunted (2005)

Dave — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 19:26:08 +0000

People in France have a phrase: “Spirit of the Stairway.” In French: Esprit d’Escalier. It means that moment when you find the answer but it’s too late. So you’re at a party and someone insults you. You have to say something. So, under pressure, with everybody watching, you say something lame. But the moment you leave the party …

As you start down the stairway, then — magic. You come up with the perfect thing you should’ve said. The perfect crippling put down.

That’s the Spirit of the Stairway.

The trouble is, even the French don’t have a phrase for the stupid things you actually do say under pressure. Those stupid, desperate things you actually think or do.

Chuck Palahniuk (b. 1962) American novelist and freelance journalist
Haunted (2005)
(Source)

Parker, Dorothy -- ‘A Pig’s-Eye View of Literature: Oscar Wilde,” Life (2 Jun 1927)

Dave — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 16:11:14 +0000

If with the literate I am
Impelled to try an epigram,
I never seek to take the credit;
We all assume that Oscar said it.

Dorothy Parker (1893-1967) American writer, poet, wit
‘A Pig’s-Eye View of Literature: Oscar Wilde,” Life (2 Jun 1927)
(Source)

Reprinted in Sunset Gun (1928).

Billings, Josh -- Everybody’s Friend, Or; Josh Billing’s Encyclopedia and Proverbial Philosophy of Wit and Humor, “Mollassis Kandy” (1874)

Dave — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 15:45:53 +0000

Thare would be a grate supply ov wit and humor in this world, if we would only giv others the same credit for being witty that we claim for ourselfs.

[There would be a great supply of wit and humor in this world, if we would only give others the same credit for being witty that we claim for ourselves.]

Josh Billings (1818-1885) American humorist, aphorist [pseud. of Henry Wheeler Shaw]
Everybody’s Friend, Or; Josh Billing’s Encyclopedia and Proverbial Philosophy of Wit and Humor, “Mollassis Kandy” (1874)
(Source)

Sheridan, Richard Brinsley -- The School for Scandal, Act 1 (1777)

Dave — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 21:14:42 +0000

There is no possibility of being witty without a little ill-nature; the malice in a good thing is the barb that makes it stick.

Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1816) Irish dramatist, satirist, politician
The School for Scandal, Act 1 (1777)
(Source)

Peacock, Thomas Love -- Crochet Castle, ch. 9 (1831)

Dave — Thu, 03 Aug 2017 18:02:03 +0000

My quarrel with him is, that his works contain nothing worth quoting; and a book that furnishes no quotations is, me judice, no book — it is a plaything.

Thomas Love Peacock (1785-1866) English novelist, satirist, poet, merchant
Crochet Castle, ch. 9 (1831)
(Source)

Addison, Joseph -- Essay (1710-07-01), The Tatler, No. 192

Dave — Fri, 15 Jul 2016 13:44:09 +0000

A cheerful temper, joined with innocence, will make beauty attractive, knowledge delightful, and wit good-natured.

Joseph Addison (1672-1719) English essayist, poet, statesman
Essay (1710-07-01), The Tatler, No. 192
(Source)

Boileau-Despréaux, Nicolas -- The Art of Poetry [L’Art Poétique], Canto 3 (1674)

Dave — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 17:48:23 +0000

Every age has its pleasures, its style of wit, and its own ways.

Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux (1636-1711) French poet and critic
The Art of Poetry [L’Art Poétique], Canto 3 (1674)

Shakespeare, William -- Hamlet, Act 2, sc. 2, l. 97 (2.2.97) (c. 1600)

Dave — Fri, 20 May 2016 15:10:00 +0000

POLONIUS: Brevity is the soul of wit.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) English dramatist and poet
Hamlet, Act 2, sc. 2, l. 97 (2.2.97) (c. 1600)
(Source)

In full, from the least brief-speaking character in the play:

Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit,
And tediousness the limbs and outward flourishes,
I will be brief ...."

Roux, Joseph -- Meditations of a Parish Priest: Thoughts, Part 1, #74 (1886)

Dave — Mon, 14 Mar 2016 16:08:00 +0000

A fine quotation is a diamond on the finger of a man of wit, and a pebble in the hand of a fool.

Joseph Roux (1834-1886) French Catholic priest
Meditations of a Parish Priest: Thoughts, Part 1, #74 (1886)
(Source)

De Stael, Germaine -- Germany [De l’Allemagne], Part 3, ch. 8 (1813)

Dave — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 16:14:47 +0000

Wit lies in recognizing the resemblance among things which differ and the difference between things which are alike.

[L’esprit consiste à connaître la ressemblance des choses diverses et la différence des choses semblables.]

Germaine de Staël (1766-1817) Swiss-French writer, woman of letters, critic, salonist [Anne Louise Germaine de Staël-Holstein, Madame de Staël, Madame Necker]
Germany [De l’Allemagne], Part 3, ch. 8 (1813)

Lehrer, Tom -- Rhino Records online chat (17 Jun 1997)

Dave — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 21:58:54 +0000

Alas, irreverence has been subsumed by mere grossness, at least in the so-called mass media. What we have now — to quote myself at my most pretentious — is a nimiety of scurrility with a concomitant exiguity of taste. For example, the freedom (hooray!) to say almost anything you want on television about society’s problems has been co-opted (alas!) by the freedom to talk instead about flatulence, orgasms, genitalia, masturbation, etc., etc., and to replace real comment with pop-culture references and so-called “adult” language. Irreverence is easy — what’s hard is wit.

Tom Lehrer (b. 1928) American mathematician, satirist, songwriter
Rhino Records online chat (17 Jun 1997)

Swift, Jonathan -- “Thoughts on Various Subjects” (1706)

Dave — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 14:07:17 +0000

Men are contented to be laughed at for their wit, but not for their folly.

Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) English writer and churchman
“Thoughts on Various Subjects” (1706)
(Source)

Burgh, James -- The Dignity of Human Nature, Sec. 5 “Miscellaneous Thoughts on Prudence in Conversation” (1754)

Dave — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 12:50:19 +0000

As nothing is more provoking to some tempers than raillery, a prudent person will not always be satirically witty where he can, but only where he may without offence. For he will consider the that the finest stroke of raillery is but a witticism; and that there is hardly any person so mean, whose good will is not preferable to the pleasure of a horse-laugh.

James Burgh (1714-1775) British politician and writer
The Dignity of Human Nature, Sec. 5 “Miscellaneous Thoughts on Prudence in Conversation” (1754)
(Source)

Burgh, James -- The Dignity of Human Nature, Sec. 5 “Miscellaneous Thoughts on Prudence in Conversation” (1754)

Dave — Thu, 26 Jun 2014 12:01:45 +0000

Wit without humanity degenerates into bitterness. Learning without prudence into pedantry.

James Burgh (1714-1775) British politician and writer
The Dignity of Human Nature, Sec. 5 “Miscellaneous Thoughts on Prudence in Conversation” (1754)
(Source)

Bradbury, Ray -- Fahrenheit 451, “Coda” Afterword (1979 ed.)

Dave — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 12:58:31 +0000

Digression is the soul of wit. Take the philosophic asides away from Dante, Milton or Hamlet’s father’s ghost and what stays is dry bones.

Ray Bradbury (1920-2012) American writer, futurist, fabulist
Fahrenheit 451, “Coda” Afterword (1979 ed.)
(Source)

A play on Shakespeare's words.

Bovee, Christian Nestell -- Intuitions and Summaries of Thought, Vol. 2 (1862)

Dave — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 14:00:36 +0000

At all events, the next best thing to being witty one’s self, is to be able to quote another’s wit.

Christian Nestell Bovee (1820-1904) American epigrammatist, writer, publisher
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought, Vol. 2 (1862)

Vauvenargues, Luc de -- Reflections and Maxims [Réflexions et maximes] (1746) [tr. Lee (1903)]

Dave — Thu, 10 Oct 2013 12:14:11 +0000

It is of no use to possess a lively wit if it is not of the right proportion: the perfection of a clock is not to go fast, but to be accurate.

Luc de Clapiers, Marquis de Vauvenargues (1715-1747) French moralist, essayist, soldier
Reflections and Maxims [Réflexions et maximes] (1746) [tr. Lee (1903)]
(Source)

Churchill, Winston -- (Attributed)

Dave — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 13:03:09 +0000

Rehearsing my impromptu witticisms.

Winston Churchill (1874-1965) British statesman and author
(Attributed)

When asked by Harold MacMillan what he was doing.

Swift, Jonathan -- “Cadenus and Vanessa,” l. 766ff (1713)

Dave — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 12:48:28 +0000

‘Tis an old maxim in the schools,
That flattery’s the food of fools;
Yet now and then your men of wit
Will condescend to take a bit.

Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) English writer and churchman
“Cadenus and Vanessa,” l. 766ff (1713)
(Source)

Amiel, Henri-Frédéric -- Journal (16 Feb 1868) [tr. Ward (1887)]

Dave — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 11:39:43 +0000

Cleverness is serviceable for everything, sufficient for nothing.

Henri-Frédéric Amiel (1821-1881) Swiss philosopher, poet, critic
Journal (16 Feb 1868) [tr. Ward (1887)]

La Rochefoucauld, Francois -- Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales [Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims], ¶245 (1665-1678) [tr. Heard (1917), ¶253]

Dave — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 13:15:57 +0000

It takes a clever man to hide his cleverness.

[C’est une grande habileté que de savoir cacher son habileté.]

François VI, duc de La Rochefoucauld (1613-1680) French epigrammatist, memoirist, noble
Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales [Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims], ¶245 (1665-1678) [tr. Heard (1917), ¶253]
(Source)

In the 1665 edition, this read: Le plus grand art d’un habile homme est celui de savoir cacher son habileté.

(Source (French)). Alternate translations:

It is a Great Act of Wisdom to be able to Conceal one's being Wise.
[tr. Stanhope (1694), ¶246]

It requires no small degree of ability to know when to conceal it.
[pub. Donaldson (1783), "Ability," ¶4]

It is a great ability to be able to conceal one's ability.
[ed. Gowens (1851), ¶257]

There is great ability in knowing how to conceal one's ability.
[tr. Bund/Friswell (1871), ¶245]

It is the height of art to conceal art.
[tr. Stevens (1939), ¶245]

A very clever man will know how to hide his cleverness.
[tr. FitzGibbon (1957), ¶245]

It is exceedingly clever to know how to hide your cleverness.
[tr. Kronenberger (1959), ¶245]

To conceal ingenuity is ingenuity indeed.
[tr. Tancock (1959), ¶245]

It is great cleverness to know how to hide our cleverness.
[tr. Whichello (2016), ¶245]

La Rochefoucauld, Francois -- Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales [Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims], ¶126 (1665-1678) [tr. Stanhope (1694), ¶127]

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 18:00:00 +0000

Tricks and Treachery are the practice of Fools that have not Wit enough to be Honest.

[Les finesses et les trahisons ne viennent que de manque d’habileté.]

François VI, duc de La Rochefoucauld (1613-1680) French epigrammatist, memoirist, noble
Réflexions ou sentences et maximes morales [Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims], ¶126 (1665-1678) [tr. Stanhope (1694), ¶127]
(Source)

Present in the 1st (1665) edition. A 1665 variant reads:

Si on étoit toujours assez habile, on ne ferait jamais de finesses ni de trahisons.

[If one were sufficiently able, one would never do tricks or treasons]

Borrowed by Franklin (1740). (Source (French)). Alternate translations:

Cunning and treachery proceed from want of capacity.
[pub. Donaldson (1783), ¶80; ed. Lepoittevin-Lacroix (1797), ¶122]

Cunning and treachery proceed often from want of capacity.
[ed. Carvill (1835), ¶68]

Treacheries and acts of artifice only originate in the want of ability.
[ed. Gowens (1851), ¶129]

Cunning and treachery are the offspring of incapacity.
[tr. Bund/Friswell (1871), ¶126]

Trickery and treachery are a mark of stupidity.
[tr. Heard (1917), ¶126]

Guile and treachery are merely the result of want of talent.
[tr. Stevens (1939), ¶126]

Cunning and treachery come solely from a lack of skill.
[tr. FitzGibbon (1957), ¶126]

Tricks and treachery are merely proof of lack of skill.
[tr. Kronenberger (1959), ¶126]

Intrigues and treasons simply come from lack of adroitness.
[tr. Tancock (1959), ¶126]

Cunning and treachery are given rise to by mere incompetence.
[tr. Whichello (2016)]

Shakespeare, William -- Hamlet, Act 2, sc. 2, l. 366ff (2.2.366) (c. 1600)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 19:00:00 +0000

ROSENCRANTZ: Many wearing rapiers are afraid of goosequills.

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) English dramatist and poet
Hamlet, Act 2, sc. 2, l. 366ff (2.2.366) (c. 1600)
(Source)

Maugham, W. Somerset -- “The Creative Impulse” (1931)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

She had a pretty gift for quotation, which is a serviceable substitute for wit.

W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) English novelist and playwright [William Somerset Maugham]
“The Creative Impulse” (1931)
(Source)

The original version of the story in Harper's Bazaar (Aug 1926) does not include this phrase. (The story may also be the origin of the phrase "who-done-it" / "whodunit" for a mystery.)

Variant: "The ability to quote is a serviceable substitute for wit."

The even-more-brief "Quotation is a serviceable substitute for wit" is often misattributed to Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, and Voltaire; it is not found in their works.

More discussion about this quotation: Quotation Is a Serviceable Substitute for Wit – Quote Investigator.

Horace -- Satires [Saturae, Sermones], Book 1, # 10 “Nempe incomposito,” l. 14ff (1.10.14-15) (35 BC) [tr. Francis (1747)]

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

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)). Alternate 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)]

Durant, William James -- NY World-Telegram & Sun (6 Jun 1958)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

One of the lessons of history is that nothing is often a good thing to do and always a clever thing to say.

William James (Will) Durant (1885-1981) American historian, teacher, philosopher
NY World-Telegram & Sun (6 Jun 1958)

Shaftesbury, Earl of -- Sensus Communis: An Essay on the Freedom of Wit and Humour, Part 1, Sec. 5 (1709)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

‘Twas the saying of an ancient Sage, “That Humour was the only Test of Gravity, and Gravity of Humour. For a Subject which would not bear Raillery is suspicious; and a Jest which would not bear a serious Examination is certainly false Wit.”

Anthony Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury (1671-1713) English politician and philosopher
Sensus Communis: An Essay on the Freedom of Wit and Humour, Part 1, Sec. 5 (1709)
(Source)

Often incorrectly attributed to Aristotle. Shaftesbury, according to his footnote, is paraphrasing from Aristotle quoting Gorgias Leontinus. The Latin translation is "Seria risu, risum seriis discutere" ("In arguing one should meet serious pleading with humor, and humor with serious pleading"). Shaftesbury's second sentence is his own commentary.

In Lord Chesterfield, in a letter to his son (6 Feb 1752), rendered it, "Ridicule is the best test of truth."

Parker, Dorothy -- Interview (1956, Summer), “The Art of Fiction, No. 13,” by Marion Capron, The Paris Review, Issue 13

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

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

Dorothy Parker (1893-1967) American writer, poet, wit
Interview (1956, Summer), “The Art of Fiction, No. 13,” by Marion Capron, The Paris Review, Issue 13

Collected in Writers at Work: The Paris Review Interviews, First Series (1958).