Men are contented to be laughed at for their wit, but not for their folly.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Swift notes people accept ridicule for wit but resent it for stupidity.
- In plain terms
- People like being laughed at for being smart, not for being stupid.
- What can you take from it?
- Pride allows some laughter but not all.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When do you reject ridicule?
- What makes you laugh at others?
Another view
It ignores that both wit and folly can be funny.
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