It is as hard to satirize well a man of distinguished vices, as to praise well a man of distinguished read more

It is as hard to satirize well a man of distinguished vices, as to praise well a man of distinguished virtues.

Sarcasm: the last refuge of modest and chaste-souled people when the privacy of their soul is coarsely and intrusively invaded.

Sarcasm: the last refuge of modest and chaste-souled people when the privacy of their soul is coarsely and intrusively invaded.

I refused to attend his funeral. But I wrote a very nice letter explaining that I approved of it.

I refused to attend his funeral. But I wrote a very nice letter explaining that I approved of it.

What I lack in decorum, I make up for with an absence of tact.

What I lack in decorum, I make up for with an absence of tact.

Sarcasm: intellect on the offensive

Sarcasm: intellect on the offensive

A sneer is the weapon of the weak.

A sneer is the weapon of the weak.

What I claim is to live to the full the contradiction of my time, which may well make sarcasm the read more

What I claim is to live to the full the contradiction of my time, which may well make sarcasm the condition of truth.

Satire must not be a kind of superfluous ill will, but ill will from a higher point of view. Ridiculous read more

Satire must not be a kind of superfluous ill will, but ill will from a higher point of view. Ridiculous man, divine God. Or else, hatred against the bogged-down vileness of average man as against the possible heights that humanity might attain.

Satire is tragedy plus time. You give it enough time, the public, the reviewers will allow you to satirize it. read more

Satire is tragedy plus time. You give it enough time, the public, the reviewers will allow you to satirize it. Which is rather ridiculous, when you think about it.