Comedy Quote by James Thurber
“Humor does not include sarcasm, invalid irony, sardonicism, innuendo, or any other form of cruelty. When these things are raised to a high point they can become wit, but unlike the French and the English, we have not been much good at wit since the days of Benjamin Franklin.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The New Yorker, 1935
Humor should be kind and clever, not cruel or mocking; true wit is rare in modern culture.
In simple terms: Humor must be kind, not cruel.
Key Takeaway
Seek humor that uplifts.
Themes
humor
wit
kindness
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
observational
literary
When to use this quote
- stand-up comedy
- writing workshops
- social media commentary
- public speaking
- literary criticism
Key Concepts
sarcasm
irony
cruelty
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we encourage kindness in comedy?
- What makes wit timeless?
A Different Perspective
Humor often slips into sarcasm unintentionally.
![“Salvador [Dali] was brought up in Spain, a country colored by the legends of Hannibal, El Greco, and Cervantes. I was brought up in Ohio, a region steeped in the tradition of Coxey's Army, the Anti-Saloon League, and William Howard Taft.” quote by James Thurber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f6b/james-thurber-1534_army_salvador-dali-was-brought-up-in-spain-a_39625.jpg)
