(Andrew:) I am not such an ass but I can keep my hand dry. But
what's your jest?
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(Andrew:) I am not such an ass but I can keep my hand dry. But
what's your jest?
(Maria:) A dry jest, sir.
(Andrew:) Are you full of them?
(Maria:) Ay, sir, I have them at my fingers' ends. Marry, now I
let go your hand, I am barren.

If anything is spoken in jest, it is not fair to turn it to
earnest.
[Lat., Si quid read more

If anything is spoken in jest, it is not fair to turn it to
earnest.
[Lat., Si quid dictum est per jocum,
Non aequum est id te serio praevortier.]

Less at thine own things laugh; lest in the jest
Thy person share, and the conceit advance,
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Less at thine own things laugh; lest in the jest
Thy person share, and the conceit advance,
Make not thy sport abuses: for the fly
That feeds on dung is colored thereby.

Jest not with the two-edged sword of God's word.

Jest not with the two-edged sword of God's word.

A joke's a very serious thing.

A joke's a very serious thing.

A jester, a bad character.
[Fr., Diseur de bon mots, mauvais caractere.]

A jester, a bad character.
[Fr., Diseur de bon mots, mauvais caractere.]

A bitter jest, when it comes too near the truth, leaves a sharp
sting behind it.
[Lat., Aspere read more

A bitter jest, when it comes too near the truth, leaves a sharp
sting behind it.
[Lat., Aspere facetiae, ubi nimis ex vero traxere,
Acram sui memoriam relinquunt.]

A man who could make so vile a pun would not scruple to pick a
pocket.

A man who could make so vile a pun would not scruple to pick a
pocket.

A jest's prosperity lies in the ear
Of him that hears it, never in the tongue
Of read more

A jest's prosperity lies in the ear
Of him that hears it, never in the tongue
Of him that makes it.