Quotes About Wit

Comedy has to be done en clair. You can't blunt the edge of wit or the point of satire with obscurity. Try to imagine a famous witty saying that is not immediately clear.

My idea of good company...is the company of clever, well-informed people, who have a great deal of conversation; that is what I call good company.' 'You are mistaken,' said he gently, 'that is not good company, that is the best.

It is only a novel... or, in short, only some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humour, are conveyed to the world in the best-chosen language

Now be sincere; did you admire me for my impertinence? For the liveliness of your mind, I did.

One cannot be always laughing at a man without now and then stumbling on something witty.

Now I must give one smirk and then we may be rational again

There is a monsterous deal of stupid quizzing, & common-place nonsense talked, but scarcely any wit.

She has many rare and charming qualities, but Sobriety is not one of them.

I shall be sure to say three dull things as soon as ever I open my mouth, shan't I? (looking round with the most good-humoured dependence on every body's assent)— Do not you all think I shall?" Emma could not resist. "Ah! ma'am, but there may be a difficulty. Pardon me— but you will be limited as to number—only three at once.

I meant to be uncommonly clever in taking so decided a dislike to him, without any reason. It is such a spur to one's genius, such an opening for wit to have a dislike of that kind. One may be continually abusive without saying any thing just; but one cannot be always laughing at a man without now and then stumbling on something witty.

Ambos somos insociables, taciturnos, enemigos de hablar a menos que esperemos decir algo que deje boquiabierto a quien escucha y pase a la posteridad con el brillo de un proverbio - Lizzy Bennet.

my idea of good company.. is the company of clever, well-informed people. who have a great deal of conversation.

That will just do for me, you know. I shall be sure to say three dull things as soon as ever I open my mouth, shan't I?

You need not hurry when the object is only to prevent my saying a bon mot, for there is not the least wit in my nature. I am a very matter-of-fact, plain-spoken being, and may blunder on the borders of a repartee for half an hour together without striking it out.

And yet I meant to be uncommonly clever in taking so decided a dislike to him, without any reason. It is such a spur to one's genius, such an opening for wit, to have a dislike of that kind. One may be continually abusive without saying anything just; but one cannot always be laughing at a man without now and then stumbling on something witty.

That is an expression, Sir John, said Marianne, warmly, which I particularly dislike. I abhor every common–place phrase by which wit is intended; and setting one's cap at a man, or making a conquest, are the most odious of all. Their tendency is gross and illiberal; and if their construction could ever be deemed clever, time has long ago destroyed all its ingenuity.

Certainly silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent way.

and if he were ever animated enough to be in love, must have long outlived every sensation of the kind. It is too ridiculous! When is a man to be safe from such wit, if age and infirmity will not protect him?

En mi concepto, la buena compañía, señor Elliot, es la de personas inteligentes y bien informadas que puedan conversar de muchas cosas; eso es lo que yo llamo buena compañía

What a difference a vowel makes! If his rents were but equal to his rants!

There seems a general wish of decrying the capacity and undervaluing the labor of the novelist, and of slighting performances which have only genius, wit and taste to recommend them.

I abhor every common-place phrase by which wit is intended

And what are you reading, Miss? Oh! it is only a novel! replies the young lady, while she lays down her book with affected indifference, or momentary shame. in short, only some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humour, are conveyed to the world in the best-chosen language.

Stupid men are the only ones worth knowing, after all.