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One does not lash what lies at a distance. The foibles that we ridicule must at least be a little read more
One does not lash what lies at a distance. The foibles that we ridicule must at least be a little bit our own. Only then will the work be a part of our own flesh. The garden must be weeded.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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 has historically proven itself a rickety fence for great ideas.
Ridicule has historically proven itself a rickety fence for great ideas.
Ridicule more often settles things more thoroughly and better
than acrimony.
[Lat., Ridiculum acri fortius ac melius magnas read more
Ridicule more often settles things more thoroughly and better
than acrimony.
[Lat., Ridiculum acri fortius ac melius magnas plerumque secat
res.]
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.]
