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 is the language of the devil

Ridicule is the language of the devil

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

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

Ridicule is the language of the devil.

Ridicule is the language of the devil.

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.

And took for truth the test of ridicule.

And took for truth the test of ridicule.

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

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

It frequently happens that where the second line is sublime, the
third, in which he meant to rise still read more

It frequently happens that where the second line is sublime, the
third, in which he meant to rise still higher, is perfectly
bombast.

'Twas the saying of an ancient sage that humour was the only test
of gravity, and gravity of humour. read more

'Twas the saying of an ancient sage that humour was the only test
of gravity, and gravity of humour. For a subject which would not
bear raillery was suspicious; and a jest which would not bear a
serious examination was certainly false wit.
- Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury,