Ridicule is the language of the devil

Ridicule is the language of the devil

Generally the ridiculous touches the sublime.
[Fr., En general, le ridicule touche au sublime.]

Generally the ridiculous touches the sublime.
[Fr., En general, le ridicule touche au sublime.]

I believe they talked of me, for they laughed consumedly.

I believe they talked of me, for they laughed consumedly.

Jane borrow'd maxims from a doubting school,
And took for truth the test of ridicule;
Lucy saw read more

Jane borrow'd maxims from a doubting school,
And took for truth the test of ridicule;
Lucy saw no such virtue in a jest,
Truth was with her of ridicule the test.

Ridicule has historically proven itself a rickety fence for great ideas.

Ridicule has historically proven itself a rickety fence for great ideas.

We have oftener than once endeavoured to attach some meaning to
that aphorism, vulgarly imputed to Shaftesbury, which however read more

We have oftener than once endeavoured to attach some meaning to
that aphorism, vulgarly imputed to Shaftesbury, which however we
can find nowhere in his works, that "ridicule is the test of
truth."

Ridicule is the tribute paid to the genius by the mediocrities.

Ridicule is the tribute paid to the genius by the mediocrities.

First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win.

First they ignore you. Then they laugh at you. Then they fight you. Then you win.

Man learns more readily and remembers more willingly what excites his ridicule than what deserves esteem and respect.

Man learns more readily and remembers more willingly what excites his ridicule than what deserves esteem and respect.