WIT

He who endeavors to oblige the company by his good-nature never fails of being beloved; he who strives to entertain it by his good sense never fails of being esteemed; but he who is continually aiming to be witty, generally miscarries of his aim; his aim and intention is to be admired, but it is his misfortune either to be despised or detested—to be despised for want of judgment, or detested for want of humanity. For we seldom admire the wit when we dislike the man. There are a great many to whom the world would be so charitable as to allow them to have a tolerable share of common sense; if they did not set up for something more than common, something very uncommon, bright, and witty. If we would trace the faults of conversation up to their original source, most of them might, I believe, be resolved into this, that men had rather appear shining than be agreeable in company. They are endeavoring to raise admiration instead of g love and good-will, whereas the latter is in everybody’s power, the former in that of very few.

There is as much difference between wit and wisdom, as between the talent of a buffoon and a statesman. Wit is brushwood, judgment is timber. The one gives the greatest flame, the other yields the durablest heat; and both meeting makes the best fire.

To have the reputation of a wit, is of but little credit, since it is generally applied rather to railery and satire, than pregnancy and beauty of conceit. We sometimes meet with a frothy wit, who would rather lose his best friend than his worst jest. Skill in small wit, like skill in small arms, is very apt to beget a confidence, which may prove fatal in ties end. Strong and sharp as a man’s wit may be, it is neither so strong as the memory of fools, nor so keen as their resentment.  He that has not strength of mind to forgive, is by no means weak enough to forget, and it is much more easy to do a cruel tiling than to say a severe one.

According to the opinion of a distinguished author, good sense is the father of wit, truth his grandfather, and mirth and good humor his chosen companions. As a razor is best whetted in oil, so wit is set sharpest by politeness. The lack of edge in both is discoverable from the offense or pain they give.

True wit is nature to advantage dressed,
What oft was thought, but ne’er so well expressed.

False wit, like false money, only passes current with those who have no means of comparison. A little wit, and a great deal of ill-nature will furnish a man for satire; but the greatest instance of wit, is to commend well.