Boat Quote by Oliver Goldsmith
“Wit generally succeeds more from being happily addressed than from its native poignancy. A jest, calculated to spread at a gaming-table, may be received with, perfect indifference should it happen to drop in a mackerel-boat.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “On Wit”, 1760
Wit works best when delivered cheerfully, not just through sharpness; a joke may be ignored if it lands in the wrong setting.
In simple terms: Humor succeeds with warmth, not just sharpness.
Key Takeaway
Use humor with a friendly tone.
Themes
communication
humor
context
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
educational
reflective
When to use this quote
- social gatherings
- online forums
- public speaking
Key Concepts
wit
social dynamics
reception
Questions to Reflect On
- When does humor fail?
- How can we adjust tone for different audiences?
A Different Perspective
A joke can fall flat if context is off.
![“[T]here are depths of thousands of miles which are hidden from our inquiry. The only tidings we have from those unfathomable regions are by means of volcanoes, those burning mountains that seem to discharge their materials from the lowest abysses of the earth.” quote by Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b7d/oliver-goldsmith-772_abyss_t-here-are-depths-of-thousands-of-miles_88121.jpg)
