--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Wit is a pleasure-giving thing, largely…" description: "\"Wit is a pleasure-giving thing, largely because it eludes reason; but in the apprehension of an absurdity through the working of the comic spirit there..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a3/agnes-repplier-1850_absurdity_wit-is-a-pleasure-giving-thing-largely-b_873800.png" --- # Wit is a pleasure-giving thing, largely because it eludes… ![“Wit is a pleasure-giving thing, largely because it eludes reason; but in the apprehension of an absurdity through the working of the comic spirit there is a foundation of reason, and an impetus to human companionship.” quote by Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a3/agnes-repplier-1850_absurdity_wit-is-a-pleasure-giving-thing-largely-b_873800.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a3/agnes-repplier-1850_absurdity_wit-is-a-pleasure-giving-thing-largely-b_873800.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a3/agnes-repplier-1850_absurdity_wit-is-a-pleasure-giving-thing-largely-b_873800.png) > “Wit is a pleasure-giving thing, largely because it eludes reason; but in the apprehension of an absurdity through the working of the comic spirit there is a foundation of reason, and an impetus to human companionship.” [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Wit delights because it sidesteps pure logic, yet the absurdity it reveals grounds us in reason and fosters human connection. **In simple terms:** Wit mixes humor with reason, creating bonds. Key Takeaway Embrace humor that reveals deeper truths. Themes humor philosophy human connection reason Mood playful thoughtful Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - social gatherings - writing - teaching - conflict resolution Key Concepts absurdity comic spirit social bonding Questions to Reflect On - How does humor reveal hidden truths? - When can wit become counterproductive? A Different Perspective Wit may alienate those who prefer straightforward logic. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Absurdity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absurdity/) [Absurdity Working](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absurdity-working-980180/) [Apprehension](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apprehension/) [Comic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comic/) [Comic Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comic-spirit-980179/) [Companionship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/companionship/) [Elude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elude/) [Existentialism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existentialism/) [Foundation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/foundation/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Impetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impetus/) [Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pleasure/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) [Wit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wit/) [Wit Pleasure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wit-pleasure-712418/) [Witty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/witty/) ## Related quotes > [“The absurdity of working so hard to continue doing something you don’t like can be overwhelming.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allie-brosh/the-absurdity-of-working-so-hard-to-continue-doing-something-you-don/) [Allie Brosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allie-brosh/) > [The comic spirit masquerades in all things we say and do. We are each a clown and do not need to put on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hillman/the-comic-spirit-masquerades-in-all-things-we-say-and-do-we-are-each/) [James Hillman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hillman/) > [The comic spirit is given to us in order that we may analyze, weigh, and clarify things in us which nettle us, or which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thornton-wilder/the-comic-spirit-is-given-to-us-in-order-that-we-may-analyze-weigh/) [Thornton Wilder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thornton-wilder/) > [So welcome 'Damsels in Distress,' an exhilarating gift of a comedy about college, the female intellect, the limitless male ego, inventing a new dance,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-travers/so-welcome-damsels-in-distress-an-exhilarating-gift-of-a-comedy-about/) [Peter Travers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-travers/) > [“When you have a wit of your own, it's a pleasure to credit other people for theirs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/when-you-have-a-wit-of-your-own-it-s-a-pleasure-to-credit-other/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [ Freedom, where are you? Who holds you back? \[...\] The mother of wit and pleasure, Oh freedom! ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manuel-maria-barbosa-du-bocage/freedom-where-are-you-who-holds-you-back-the-mother-of-wit-and/) [Manuel Maria Barbosa du Bocage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manuel-maria-barbosa-du-bocage/) > [The masters of the comic spirit are often our prophets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penelope-gilliatt/the-masters-of-the-comic-spirit-are-often-our-prophets/) [Penelope Gilliatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penelope-gilliatt/) > [Religion is the vision of something which stands beyond, behind, and within, the passing flux of immediate things; something which is real, and yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/religion-is-the-vision-of-something-which-stands-beyond-behind-and/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [It is claimed that the United States gets the cleanest and purest tea in the market, and certainly it is too good to warrant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/it-is-claimed-that-the-united-states-gets-the-cleanest-and-purest-tea/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [Empathy is the starting point for creating a community and taking action. It's the impetus for creating change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-carver/empathy-is-the-starting-point-for-creating-a-community-and-taking/) [Max Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-carver/) > [I often think about how my sons will come to know about September 11th. Something overheard? A newspaper image? In school? I would prefer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/i-often-think-about-how-my-sons-will-come-to-know-about-september/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [I've been singing since I was born. It's something I do everywhere I go. In the shower, walking down the street. I don't need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idina-menzel/i-ve-been-singing-since-i-was-born-it-s-something-i-do-everywhere-i/) [Idina Menzel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idina-menzel/) > [The new dynamics between brands and consumers, driven by social media, are proving to be a powerful impetus for change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-mainwaring/the-new-dynamics-between-brands-and-consumers-driven-by-social-media/) [Simon Mainwaring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mainwaring/) > [It is not the child as a physical but as a psychic being that can provide a strong impetus to the betterment of mankind.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/it-is-not-the-child-as-a-physical-but-as-a-psychic-being-that-can/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [It wasn't like, 'I'ma lose weight and start doing dramas.' I wanted to be healthier, and that was the impetus for wanting to lose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-hill/it-wasn-t-like-i-ma-lose-weight-and-start-doing-dramas-i-wanted-to-be/) [Jonah Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-hill/) ## More by Agnes Repplier > [The dog is guided by kindly instinct to the man or woman whose heart is open to his advances. The cat often leaves the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/the-dog-is-guided-by-kindly-instinct-to-the-man-or-woman-whose-heart/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [Letter-writing on the part of a busy man or woman is the quintessence of generosity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/letter-writing-on-the-part-of-a-busy-man-or-woman-is-the-quintessence/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [To have given pleasure to one human being is a recollection that sweetens life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/to-have-given-pleasure-to-one-human-being-is-a-recollection-that/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [Believers in political faith-healing enjoy a supreme immunity from doubt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/believers-in-political-faith-healing-enjoy-a-supreme-immunity-from/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [Philadelphians are every whit as mediocre as their neighbors, but they seldom encourage each other in mediocrity by giving it a more agreeable name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/philadelphians-are-every-whit-as-mediocre-as-their-neighbors-but-they/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [When the milk of human kindness turns sour, it is a singularly unpalatable draught.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/when-the-milk-of-human-kindness-turns-sour-it-is-a-singularly/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [Conversation in its happiest development is a link, equally exquisite and adequate, between mind and mind, a system by which men approach one another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/conversation-in-its-happiest-development-is-a-link-equally-exquisite/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [What monstrous absurdities and paradoxes have resisted whole batteries of serious arguments, and then crumbled swiftly into dust before the ringing death-knell of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/what-monstrous-absurdities-and-paradoxes-have-resisted-whole/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [the labors of the true critic are more essential to the author, even, than to the reader.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/the-labors-of-the-true-critic-are-more-essential-to-the-author-even/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/he-is-your-friend-your-partner-your-defender-your-dog-you-are-his/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [Our dogs will love and admire the meanest of us, and feed our colossal vanity with their uncritical homage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/our-dogs-will-love-and-admire-the-meanest-of-us-and-feed-our-colossal/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [Erudition, like a bloodhound, is a charming thing when held firmly in leash, but it is not so attractive when turned loose upon a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/erudition-like-a-bloodhound-is-a-charming-thing-when-held-firmly-in/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [There was no escape from the letter-writer who, a hundred or a hundred and twenty-five years ago, captured a coveted correspondent. It would have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/there-was-no-escape-from-the-letter-writer-who-a-hundred-or-a-hundred/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [Sleep sweetly in the fields of asphodel, and waken, as of old, to stretch thy languid length, and purr thy soft contentment to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/sleep-sweetly-in-the-fields-of-asphodel-and-waken-as-of-old-to/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [In the stress of modern life, how little room is left for that most comfortable vanity that whispers in our ears that failures are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/in-the-stress-of-modern-life-how-little-room-is-left-for-that-most/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) [Explore all 203 Agnes Repplier quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) ## More Absurdity quotes > [Even though you can't expect to defeat the absurdity of the world, you must make that attempt. That's morality, that's religion. That's art. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-ochs/even-though-you-can-t-expect-to-defeat-the-absurdity-of-the-world-you/) [Phil Ochs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-ochs/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [For it is an absurdity to call a country civilized in which a decent and industrious man, laboriously mastering a trade which is valuble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/for-it-is-an-absurdity-to-call-a-country-civilized-in-which-a-decent/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [Every sensible man, every honorable man, must hold the Christian sect in horror." "Christianity is the most ridiculous, the most absurd and bloody religion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/every-sensible-man-every-honorable-man-must-hold-the-christian-sect/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [One would think that a system loaded with such gross and vulgar absurdities as Scripture religion is could never have obtained credit; yet we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/one-would-think-that-a-system-loaded-with-such-gross-and-vulgar/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Such squeamish youths as cannot bear to be connected with a little absurdity are not worth a regret.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/such-squeamish-youths-as-cannot-bear-to-be-connected-with-a-little/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [Thought of the incomprehensible sequence of changes and chances that make up a life, all the beauties and horrors and absurdities whose conjunctions create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/thought-of-the-incomprehensible-sequence-of-changes-and-chances-that/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [We all live inside the terrible engine of authority, and it grinds and shrieks and burns so that no one will say: lines on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherynne-m-valente/we-all-live-inside-the-terrible-engine-of-authority-and-it-grinds-and/) [Catherynne M. Valente](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherynne-m-valente/) > [Desire is this absurdity that holds open the infinity of possibility. Ever optimistic, ever resourceful, desire tells us what it sees as it speeds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-farley/desire-is-this-absurdity-that-holds-open-the-infinity-of-possibility/) [Wendy Farley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-farley/) > [I've always felt that comedy doesn't just come from misery. It comes from an absurdity around that misery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-amstell/i-ve-always-felt-that-comedy-doesn-t-just-come-from-misery-it-comes/) [Simon Amstell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-amstell/) > [Unaware of the absurdity of it, we introduce our own petty household rules into the economy of the universe for which the life of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-herzen/unaware-of-the-absurdity-of-it-we-introduce-our-own-petty-household/) [Alexander Herzen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-herzen/) > [“Christianity would be helpless without the idea of free will and the idea of free will would be helpless without incongruity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kedar-joshi/christianity-would-be-helpless-without-the-idea-of-free-will-and-the/) [Kedar Joshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kedar-joshi/) > [Sensible Catholics have for generations been ignoring the views on contraception held by reactionary old men in the Vatican, but alas, since it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-c-grayling/sensible-catholics-have-for-generations-been-ignoring-the-views-on/) [A.C. 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'And even after that, when the robots recall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/the-tales-of-our-exploits-will-survive-as-long-as-the-human-voice/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [Life packed a clever one-two punch: cruelty and absurdity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/life-packed-a-clever-one-two-punch-cruelty-and-absurdity/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) [Browse all 689 Absurdity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/absurdity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Wit is a pleasure-giving thing, largely because it eludes reason; but in the apprehension of an absurdity through the working of the comic spirit there is a foundation of reason, and an impetus to human companionship.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Agnes Repplier" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/wit-is-a-pleasure-giving-thing-largely-because-it-eludes-reason-but/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Absurdity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/wit-is-a-pleasure-giving-thing-largely-because-it-eludes-reason-but/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a3/agnes-repplier-1850_absurdity_wit-is-a-pleasure-giving-thing-largely-b_873800.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a3/agnes-repplier-1850_absurdity_wit-is-a-pleasure-giving-thing-largely-b_873800.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1a3/agnes-repplier-1850_absurdity_wit-is-a-pleasure-giving-thing-largely-b_873800.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Wit is a pleasure-giving thing, largely because it eludes reason; but in the apprehension of an absurdity…” — Agnes Repplier", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Agnes Repplier", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Wit is a pleasure-giving thing, largely...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/wit-is-a-pleasure-giving-thing-largely-because-it-eludes-reason-but/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/wit-is-a-pleasure-giving-thing-largely-because-it-eludes-reason-but/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```