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

The quality of wit inspires more admiration than confidence.

Brevity is the soul of wit.

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

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.

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

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

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.

Wit is salt of conversation, not the food.