There is nothing one sees oftener than the ridiculous and
magnificent, such close neighbors that they touch.
[Fr., read more

There is nothing one sees oftener than the ridiculous and
magnificent, such close neighbors that they touch.
[Fr., L'on ne saurait mieux faire voir que le magnifique et le
ridicule sont si voisins qu'ils se touchent.]

Resort is had to ridicule only when reason is against us.

Resort is had to ridicule only when reason is against us.

Truth, 'tis supposed, may bear all lights; and one those
principal lights or natural mediums by which things are read more

Truth, 'tis supposed, may bear all lights; and one those
principal lights or natural mediums by which things are to be
viewed in order to a thorough recognition is ridicule itself.

Scoff not at the natural defects of any which are not in their power to amend. It is cruel to read more

Scoff not at the natural defects of any which are not in their power to amend. It is cruel to beat a cripple with his own crutches!

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

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

Ridicule is like a wolf: it only destroys those who fear it

Ridicule is like a wolf: it only destroys those who fear it

Ridicule is the first and last argument of fools.

Ridicule is the first and last argument of fools.

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.]

Mockery is the weapon of those who have no other.

Mockery is the weapon of those who have no other.