A wit would often be embarrassed without the company of fools.

Wit is salt of conversation, not the food.

The more wit you have, the more good nature you must show, to induce people to pardon your superiority, for that is no easy matter.

He who cannot shine by thought, seeks to bring himself into notice by a witticism.

Wit is the sudden marriage of ideas which before their union were not perceived to have any relation.

Wit isn't a useful instrument of defense; it may make a short-run appeal, but it creates a backlash- one saw this in the Hiss case and the Oppenheimer hearings; certainly one saw it in the trial of Oscar Wilde.

There is hardly that person to be found who is not more concerned for the reputation of wit and sense, than honesty and virtue.

Brevity is the soul of wit.

The quality of wit inspires more admiration than confidence.

To be over much facetious is the accomplishment of courtiers and blemish of the wise.

True wit, to every man, is that which falls on another.

Impertinent wits are a kind of insect which are in everybody's way and plentiful in all countries.

Wit is the salt of conversation, not the food.

Many get the repute of being witty but thereby lose the credit of being sensible. Jest has its little hour, seriousness should have all the rest.

Men never think their fortune too great, nor their wit too little.

The more wit we have, the less satisfied we are with it.

Wit is so shining a quality that everybody admires it; most people aim at it, all people fear it, and few love it unless in themselves.

A man must have a good share of wit himself to endure a great share in another.

Humorous persons have pleasant mouths turned up at the corners... But the mouth of a merely witty man is hard and sour until the moment of its discharge.

The mere wit is only a human bauble. He is to life what bells are to horses-not expected to draw the load, but only to jingle while the horses draw.