Of all the griefs that harass the distress'd,
Sure the most bitter is a scornful jest;
Fate read more

Of all the griefs that harass the distress'd,
Sure the most bitter is a scornful jest;
Fate never wounds more deep the generous heart,
Than when a blockhead's insult points the dart.

That's a good joke but we do it much better in England.

That's a good joke but we do it much better in England.

Joking decides great things,
Stronger and better oft than earnest can.

Joking decides great things,
Stronger and better oft than earnest can.

A jest loses its point when the jester laughs himself.
[Ger., Des Spass verliert Alles, wenn der Spassmacher selber read more

A jest loses its point when the jester laughs himself.
[Ger., Des Spass verliert Alles, wenn der Spassmacher selber
lacht.]

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.]

Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio, a fellow of infinite
jest, of most excellent fancy. He hath borne read more

Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio, a fellow of infinite
jest, of most excellent fancy. He hath borne me on his back a
thousand times. And now how abhorred in my imagination it is!

Less at thine own things laugh; lest in the jest
Thy person share, and the conceit advance,
read more

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.

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.]

Joking set aside.
[Lat., Omissis jocis.]

Joking set aside.
[Lat., Omissis jocis.]