I have never injured anybody with a mordant poem; my verse contains charges against nobody. Ingenuous, I have shunned wit steeped in venom--not a letter of mine is dipped in poisonous jest.
In cheerful souls there is no wit. Wit shows a disturbance of the equipoise.
In the midst of the fountain of wit there arises something bitter, which stings in the very flowers.
The dullness of the fool is the whetstone of the wits.
As a creator of character his peculiarity is that he creates wherever his eyes rest. . . With such a power at his command Dickens made his books blaze up, not by tightening the plot or sharpening the wit, but by throwing another handful of people upon the fire.
Ev'n wit's a burthen, when it talks too long.
I have more zeal than wit.
True wit has a grave intention.
The longer a woman remains single, the more apprehensive she will be of entering into the state of wedlock. At seventeen or eighteen, a girl will plunge into it, sometimes without either fear or wit; at twenty, she will begin to think; at twenty-four, will weigh and discriminate; at twenty-eight, will be afraid of venturing; at thirty, will turn about, and look down the hill she has ascended, and sometimes rejoice, sometimes repent, that she has gained that summit sola.
There is naught a man or woman can not learn who hath the wit.
Evidently, quality of wits is more important than quantity.
The writings of women are always cold and pretty like themselves. There is as much wit as you may desire, but never any soul.
Borrowed wit is the poorest wit.
He drew a circle that shut me out- Heretic , rebel, a thing to flout. But love and I had the wit to win: We drew a circle and took him In ! From the poem " Outwitted
Raillery is a mode of speaking in favor of one's wit at the expense of one's better nature.
Wit beyond measure is a man's greatest treasure.
This fellow pecks up wit, as pigeons peas; And utters it again when God doth please: He is wit's pedler; and retails his wares.
[On being told their loquacious, domineering host was 'outspoken':] By whom?
I assure you, you will never survive on your wits alone.
Shoulda sent a thank you note, you little hoe Now Imma wrap your coffin wit a bow
