The secret to humor is surprise.
The wit makes fun of other persons; the satirist makes fun of the world; the humorist makes fun of himself, but in so doing, he identifies himself with people –that is, people everywhere, not for the purpose of taking them apart, but simply revealing their true nature.
There are things of deadly earnest that can only be mentioned under the cover of a joke.
There is always some frivolity in excellent minds; they have wings to rise, but also stray.
There is this benefit in brag, that the speaker is unconsciously expressing his own ideal. Humor him by all means; draw it all out, and hold him to it.
True humor springs not more from the head than from the heart. It is not contempt; its essence is love. It issues not in laughter, but in still smiles, which lie far deeper.
WARNING: Humor may be hazardous to your illness.
We must laugh at man to avoid crying for him.
We never respect those who amuse us, however we may smile at their comic powers.
What some people invent the rest enlarge.
Where ever you find humor, you find pathos close by it side.
Wit is a weapon. Jokes are a masculine way of inflicting superiority. But humor is the pursuit of a gentle grin, usually in solitude.
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