quotations about wit
Many, affecting wit beyond their power,
Have got to be a dear fool for an hour.
GEORGE HERBERT
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The Temple
Wit, after all, is a mighty tart, pungent ingredient, and much too acid for some stomachs; but honest good humor is the oil and wine of a merry meeting.
WASHINGTON IRVING
"The Christmas Dinner", Irving's Sketch Book
Wit, like poetry, is insusceptible of being constructed upon rules founded merely in reason. Like faith, it exists independent of reason, and sometimes in hostility to it.
CHRISTIAN NESTELL BOVEE
Intuitions and Summaries of Thought
Wit is the lightning of the mind.
C. T. KAEUFFER
attributed, Day's Collacon
One wit, like a knuckle of ham in soup, gives a zest and flavour to the dish, but more than one serves only to spoil the pottage.
TOBIAS SMOLLETT
Humphrey Clinker
Wit is of the true Pierian spring, that can make anything of anything.
GEORGE CHAPMAN
Byron's Conspiracy
A Christian's wit is inoffensive light,
A beam that aids, but never grieves the sight.
WILLIAM COWPER
"Conversation", Poems
It is no great advantage to possess a quick wit, if it is not correct; the perfection is not speed but uniformity.
LUC DE CLAPIERS, MARQUIS DE VAUVENARGUES
attributed, Day's Collacon
Super powers? Pah!!! Who needs those? I'm a Scientist and I use my intellect to overcome my opponents and my razors sharp wit is always good for a few cutting put downs perfect for stopping a gloating madman in the middle of an egotistical rant.
DR. SIGMUND FRAUD
user comments posted on 'The Guardian Guide', January 30, 2016
Wit will shine
Through the harsh cadence of a rugged line.
JOHN DRYDEN
To the Memory of Mr. Oldham
Surprise is so essential an ingredient of wit that no wit will bear repetition.
SYDNEY SMITH
Lectures on Moral Philosophy
Wit is a form of force that leaves the limbs at rest.
GEORGE ELIOT
Felix Holt
The wit of conversation consists more in finding it in others than in showing a great deal yourself. He who goes from your conversation pleased with himself and his own wit, is perfectly well pleased with you.
SAMUEL R. WELS
How to Behave
Wit can render instant aid or lasting harm.
LEWIS F. KORNS
Thoughts
Humor wades across a brook, wit jumps over it.
AUSTIN O'MALLEY
Keystones of Thought
Wit catches of wit, as fire of fire.
FULKE GREVILLE
Maxims, Characters, and Reflections
Your wit's too hot, it speeds too fast, 'twill tire.
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Love's Labour's Lost
Wit is not only the luck and labour, but also the dexterity of thought, rounding the world, like the Sun, with unimaginable motion; and bringing swiftly home to the memory universal surveys.
WILLIAM DAVENANT
preface, Gondibert
Wit is a sword; it is meant to make people feel the point as well as see it.
G. K. CHESTERTON
The Quotable Chesterton: A Topical Compilation of the Wit, Wisdom and Satire of G.K. Chesterton
This pleasant aspect of wit is almost the opposite of satire and may be found in any kind of character: according to Congreve, 'from a witty man they are expected and even a fool may be permitted to stumble on 'em by chance'.
BART VAN ES
Shakespeare's Comedies: A Very Short Introduction