The Random Comic Strip

The Random Comic Strip

Words to live by...

"How beautiful it is to do nothing, and to rest afterward."

[Spanish Proverb]

Ius luxuriae publice datum est

(The right to looseness has been officially given)

"Everyone carries a part of society on his shoulders," wrote Ludwig von Mises, "no one is relieved of his share of responsibility by others. And no one can find a safe way for himself if society is sweeping towards destruction. Therefore everyone, in his own interest, must thrust himself vigorously into the intellectual battle."

Apparently, the crossword puzzle that disappeared from the blog, came back.


Saturday, January 24, 2009

Get Wit It, Folks

"Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is
probably the reason so few engage in it."

~Henry Ford

I read a post the other day and it made me think. That's a Good Thing. Everything we read or see should make us think. Well, maybe I should rephrase that since we ought to be thinking all the time. After all, if we aren't thinking, we'd be brain dead and someone would be trying to harvest our organs. Let's say it made me think about something in particular. And that particular thing is wit.

Wit has no agenda of its own. That is, wit can be from the Right or the Left. It can be morally upright or sleazy. Regardless of the political or moral bent of the speaker or writer, wit entertains. If it didn't, we would not call it wit. Wit implies intelligence. Wit implies cleverness. If I call someone a wit, it means I do not find him to be a dullard. It may not always mean I like his wit, though.

We like witty sayings. We celebrate great wit.

Wit can border on insensitivity.
"I didn’t attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it."
– Mark Twain

"A fellow with the inventiveness of Albert Einstein, but with the attention span of Daffy Duck."
- Tom Shale on Robin Williams

Wit can be self-deprecating...

"What makes him think a middle aged actor, who’s played with a chimp, could have a future in politics?"
- Ronald Reagan commenting on Eastwood’s bid to become mayor of Carmel

"If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?"
- Abraham Lincoln

To be a wit is good, just don't do it halfway.

10 comments:

Michael Horvath said...

I love the examples you shared Douglas. Wit can be a gift and a curse for me. Depends on if I speak with a foot in my mouth when using it.

Neo said...

You are a wit, my friend

IB said...

Lincoln's witty remark made me chuckle out loud (COL). Thanks for starting my day off with a laugh.

Oh, and thanks for being a regular commenter over at my blog. I appreciate the support!

Have a good day

Michael said...

I've been deprived of your blog, Douglas! I must venture to the land of Nod now, but when I wake up, it's Boomer Musings for all the ones I've missed.

I like the last line. Some people try to be witty, they get a good day where they're funny, clever and intelligent, but the next day, the witticisms take too long or take no form and it fails to work. Wit that only gets halfway is as good as a pile of doongsk.

Michael.

Barry said...

Trust Lincoln to have the finest wit of all.

Douglas said...

MPH - Wit is a difficult art. Ah but the pleasure one receives when accomplished well.

Neo - I fear you are only half right.

Ian - It is always a pleasure to read your blog. And I really appreciate your following mine.

Michael - You are a busy lad so don't worry if you can't drop by often. The posts are archived whether they are good or bad.

Barry - Lincoln had great wit and intellect but I think Mark Twain was the finest practitioner.

Inspector Clouseau said...

This was pretty funny. I enjoyed it.

The Logistician said...

This was pretty funny. I enjoyed it.

MilesPerHour said...

I love the examples you shared Douglas. Wit can be a gift and a curse for me. Depends on if I speak with a foot in my mouth when using it.

Neo said...

You are a wit, my friend