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.]

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

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

That passage is what I call the sublime dashed to pieces by
cutting too close with the fiery four-in-hand read more

That passage is what I call the sublime dashed to pieces by
cutting too close with the fiery four-in-hand round the corner of
nonsense.

Mockery is the weapon of those who have no other.

Mockery is the weapon of those who have no other.

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

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

I distrust those sentiments that are too far removed from nature,
and whose sublimity is blended with ridicule; which read more

I distrust those sentiments that are too far removed from nature,
and whose sublimity is blended with ridicule; which two are as
near one another as extreme wisdom and folly.

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,

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.

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

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