--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He who has provoked the lash of wit…" description: "\"He who has provoked the lash of wit, cannot complain that he smarts from it.\" — James Boswell" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b5/james-boswell-7136_provoked_he-who-has-provoked-the-lash-of-wit-cann_3176176.jpg" --- # He who has provoked the lash of wit, cannot complain that… ![“He who has provoked the lash of wit, cannot complain that he smarts from it.” quote by James Boswell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b5/james-boswell-7136_provoked_he-who-has-provoked-the-lash-of-wit-cann_3176176.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b5/james-boswell-7136_provoked_he-who-has-provoked-the-lash-of-wit-cann_3176176.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5b5/james-boswell-7136_provoked_he-who-has-provoked-the-lash-of-wit-cann_3176176.jpg) > “He who has provoked the lash of wit, cannot complain that he smarts from it.” [James Boswell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-boswell/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Wit can be painful; one should not blame the source of sharp humor. **In simple terms:** Wit hurts; don’t complain about it. Key Takeaway Accept that sharp humor may sting. Themes humor wit self‑awareness criticism Mood reflective cautious Type philosophical humorous When to use this quote - debates - social gatherings - online comments - public speaking Key Concepts sharpness intellectual play social interaction Questions to Reflect On - When does wit become harmful? - How can you use wit responsibly? A Different Perspective Wit can alienate if not balanced with empathy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [He who has provoked the shaft of wit, cannot complain that he smarts from it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/he-who-has-provoked-the-shaft-of-wit-cannot-complain-that-he-smarts/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [How many young girls there are who do not see any wrongdoing in following certain shameless styles like so many sheep. They certainly would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-pius-xii/how-many-young-girls-there-are-who-do-not-see-any-wrongdoing-in/) [Pope Pius XII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-pius-xii/) > [General rebellions and revolts of a whole people never were encouraged now or at any time. 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They were enthusiastic. They loved America. They were excited. They were pro Trump. They were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/at-any-trump-rally-the-trump-supporters-were-peaceful-they-were/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [You raped her because her Clothes provoked you? I should break your face, cause your stupidity provokes me!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-copeland/you-raped-her-because-her-clothes-provoked-you-i-should-break-your/) [Rachel Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-copeland/) > [The doctors advised me not to have even one. My health was still not good, and they said that pregnancy might be fatal. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/indira-gandhi/the-doctors-advised-me-not-to-have-even-one-my-health-was-still-not/) [Indira Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/indira-gandhi/) > [Go deep into meditation. And by meditation I mean awareness, watchfulness, witnessing. 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Let me try to abbreviate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-boswell/i-find-i-journalize-too-tediously-let-me-try-to-abbreviate/) [James Boswell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-boswell/) > [ In comparing these two writers, he \[Samuel Johnson\] used this expression: "that there was as great a difference between them as between a man… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-boswell/in-comparing-these-two-writers-he-samuel-johnson-used-this-expression/) [James Boswell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-boswell/) > [I make it a kind of pious rule to go to every funeral to which I am invited, both as I wish to pay…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-boswell/i-make-it-a-kind-of-pious-rule-to-go-to-every-funeral-to-which-i-am/) [James Boswell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-boswell/) > [All censure of a man's self is oblique praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-boswell/all-censure-of-a-man-s-self-is-oblique-praise/) [James Boswell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-boswell/) [Explore all 94 James Boswell quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-boswell/) ## More Provoked quotes > [I am far more provoked at being thought foolish by foolish people, than pleased at being thought sensible by sensible people; and the average…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/i-am-far-more-provoked-at-being-thought-foolish-by-foolish-people/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [Looking back through the mists of time, I recall some distinctly religious experiences in my teens--when I was only fourteen years old to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-linzey/looking-back-through-the-mists-of-time-i-recall-some-distinctly/) [Andrew Linzey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-linzey/) > [Whoever has provoked men to rage against him has always gained a party in his favor, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/whoever-has-provoked-men-to-rage-against-him-has-always-gained-a/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [My view is that to get anywhere in life you have to be anti-social, otherwise you'll end up being devoured. 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If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/indira-gandhi/the-doctors-advised-me-not-to-have-even-one-my-health-was-still-not/) [Indira Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/indira-gandhi/) > [You raped her because her Clothes provoked you? I should break your face, cause your stupidity provokes me!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-copeland/you-raped-her-because-her-clothes-provoked-you-i-should-break-your/) [Rachel Copeland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-copeland/) > [At any Trump rally, the Trump supporters were peaceful. They were enthusiastic. They loved America. They were excited. They were pro Trump. 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