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

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

And took for truth the test of ridicule.

And took for truth the test of ridicule.

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

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

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

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

The sublime and ridiculous are often so nearly related that it is
difficult to class them separately. One step read more

The sublime and ridiculous are often so nearly related that it is
difficult to class them separately. One step below the sublime
makes the ridiculous and one step above the ridiculous makes the
sublime again.

Mockery is the weapon of those who have no other.

Mockery is the weapon of those who have no other.

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.]

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.

How comes it to pass, then, that we appear such cowards in
reasoning, and are so afraid to stand read more

How comes it to pass, then, that we appear such cowards in
reasoning, and are so afraid to stand the test of ridicule?
- Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury,