Wit is cultured insolence.

Wit is cultured insolence.

Wit penetrates; humor envelops. Wit is a function of verbal intelligence; humor is imagination operating on good nature.

Wit penetrates; humor envelops. Wit is a function of verbal intelligence; humor is imagination operating on good nature.

People who can't be witty exert themselves to be devout and affectionate.

People who can't be witty exert themselves to be devout and affectionate.

An ounce of wit is worth a pound of sorrow.

An ounce of wit is worth a pound of sorrow.

As a wit, if not first, in the very first line.

As a wit, if not first, in the very first line.

This man [Chesterfield] I thought had been a lord among wits; but
I find he is only a wit read more

This man [Chesterfield] I thought had been a lord among wits; but
I find he is only a wit among lords.

Wit is the salt of conversation, not the food.

Wit is the salt of conversation, not the food.

Wit is far more often a shield than a lance

Wit is far more often a shield than a lance

We grant, although he had much wit,
H' was very shy of using it,
As being loth read more

We grant, although he had much wit,
H' was very shy of using it,
As being loth to wear it out,
And therefore bore it not about;
Unless on holy days or so,
As men their best apparel do.