WIST Quotations

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)

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)

Wilde, Oscar -- (Attributed)

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

WILDE: I wish I had said that.
WHISTLER: You will, Oscar, you will.

Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) Irish poet, wit, dramatist
(Attributed)

An anecdotal exchange between Wilde and James Whistler, associated with how Wilde was known for reusing epigrams and witticisms from various folk, usually not crediting them.

References to the exchange date back, in various sources and forms, as far as 1886, with the specific language varying, and the original bon mot from (usually) Whistler not mentioned. More details and discussion: “I Wish I Had Said That” “You Will, Oscar, You Will” – 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)]