--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Wit penetrates; humor envelops. Wit is a…" description: "\"Wit penetrates; humor envelops. Wit is a function of verbal intelligence; humor is imagination operating on good nature.\" — Peggy Noonan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb5/peggy-noonan-4902_comedy_wit-penetrates-humor-envelops-wit-is-a-f_478277.png" --- # Wit penetrates; humor envelops. Wit is a function of… ![“Wit penetrates; humor envelops. Wit is a function of verbal intelligence; humor is imagination operating on good nature.” quote by Peggy Noonan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb5/peggy-noonan-4902_comedy_wit-penetrates-humor-envelops-wit-is-a-f_478277.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb5/peggy-noonan-4902_comedy_wit-penetrates-humor-envelops-wit-is-a-f_478277.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb5/peggy-noonan-4902_comedy_wit-penetrates-humor-envelops-wit-is-a-f_478277.png) > “Wit penetrates; humor envelops. Wit is a function of verbal intelligence; humor is imagination operating on good nature.” [Peggy Noonan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-noonan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Wit relies on sharp intellect to make a point; humor uses imagination and kindness to create warmth. **In simple terms:** Wit is clever; humor is kind. Key Takeaway Use both to engage and uplift. Themes communication intelligence creativity empathy leadership Mood lighthearted thoughtful Type advice observational When to use this quote - public speaking - team meetings - teaching - writing - conflict resolution Key Concepts verbal intelligence imagination social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance wit and humor in a tense situation? - When does humor enhance persuasion? A Different Perspective Humor may be misunderstood if cultural context differs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Good nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-nature/) [Humor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humor/) [Imagination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagination/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Wit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wit/) ## Related quotes > [The best everyday example of relativity, the finest symptom of human intelligence, is humor. (...) Design without humor is not human. The word 'beautiful'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippe-starck/the-best-everyday-example-of-relativity-the-finest-symptom-of-human/) [Philippe Starck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippe-starck/) > [The more women sit down and write something in a woman's voice for a woman, they more you'll see women in comedy because gender…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristen-schaal/the-more-women-sit-down-and-write-something-in-a-woman-s-voice-for-a/) [Kristen Schaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristen-schaal/) > [How much wit, good-nature, indulgences, how many good offices and civilities, are required among friends to accomplish in some years what a lovely face…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/how-much-wit-good-nature-indulgences-how-many-good-offices-and/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [Good nature is more agreeable in conversation than wit and gives a certain air to the countenance which is more amiable than beauty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/good-nature-is-more-agreeable-in-conversation-than-wit-and-gives-a/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [The more wit you have, the more good nature you must show, to induce people to pardon your superiority, for that is no easy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-vaughan/the-more-wit-you-have-the-more-good-nature-you-must-show-to-induce/) [Bill Vaughan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-vaughan/) > [Well the dog that is the most is the a Labrador retrievers because they tolerate kids tugging on them and things better than other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/temple-grandin/well-the-dog-that-is-the-most-is-the-a-labrador-retrievers-because/) [Temple Grandin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/temple-grandin/) > [Man selects only for his own good: Nature only for that of the being which she tends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/man-selects-only-for-his-own-good-nature-only-for-that-of-the-being/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) > [“Guilliame. ‘No, I was born in the capital.’ He said no more than that. Charls supposed that he and Guilliame were two of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-pacat/guilliame-no-i-was-born-in-the-capital-he-said-no-more-than-that/) [C.S. Pacat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-pacat/) > [“Boyishness—by which I mean animal life in its fullest measure, good nature and honest impulses, hatred of injustice and meanness, and thoughtlessness enough to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hughes/boyishness-by-which-i-mean-animal-life-in-its-fullest-measure-good/) [Thomas Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hughes/) > [Jonathan Coe's genial, likeable novel can only be described as a kind of lit-prog-rock concept album... Coe recreates the period with such loving accuracy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-bradshaw/jonathan-coe-s-genial-likeable-novel-can-only-be-described-as-a-kind/) [Peter Bradshaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-bradshaw/) > [“Oddly enough, it was he who had introduced the twins to Kathakali... He is searching for the beast that lives within him , Comrade…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arundhati-roy/oddly-enough-it-was-he-who-had-introduced-the-twins-to-kathakali-he/) [Arundhati Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arundhati-roy/) > [Mathematics are well and good but Nature keeps dragging us around by the nose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/mathematics-are-well-and-good-but-nature-keeps-dragging-us-around-by/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Protecting our wild and wonderful landscape is good for nature, good for tourism and good for West Virginia's economy and quality of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-justice/protecting-our-wild-and-wonderful-landscape-is-good-for-nature-good/) [Jim Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-justice/) > [Good nature is often a mere matter of health.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/good-nature-is-often-a-mere-matter-of-health/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [There is no society or conversation to be kept up in the world without good-nature, or something which must bear its appearance and supply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/there-is-no-society-or-conversation-to-be-kept-up-in-the-world/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) ## More by Peggy Noonan > [Politicians, please, think of yourselves! Move to help Terri Schiavo, and no one will be mad at you, and you'll keep a human being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-noonan/politicians-please-think-of-yourselves-move-to-help-terri-schiavo-and/) [Peggy Noonan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-noonan/) > [What we need most right now, at this moment, is a kind of patriotic grace - a grace that takes the long view, apprehends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-noonan/what-we-need-most-right-now-at-this-moment-is-a-kind-of-patriotic/) [Peggy Noonan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-noonan/) > [I love eulogies. They are the most moving kind of speech because they attempt to pluck meaning from the fog, and on short order,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-noonan/i-love-eulogies-they-are-the-most-moving-kind-of-speech-because-they/) [Peggy Noonan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-noonan/) > [But one immediate thing can be done right now, and that is: lower the temperature. Any way you can, and everybody. Just lower it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-noonan/but-one-immediate-thing-can-be-done-right-now-and-that-is-lower-the/) [Peggy Noonan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-noonan/) > [Most people aren't appreciated enough, and the bravest things we do in our lives are usually known only to ourselves. No one throws ticker…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-noonan/most-people-aren-t-appreciated-enough-and-the-bravest-things-we-do-in/) [Peggy Noonan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-noonan/) > [Let's cause some senators distress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-noonan/let-s-cause-some-senators-distress/) [Peggy Noonan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-noonan/) > [Boundaries aren't all bad. That's why there are walls around mental institutions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-noonan/boundaries-aren-t-all-bad-that-s-why-there-are-walls-around-mental/) [Peggy Noonan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-noonan/) > [TV gives everyone an image, but radio gives birth to a million images in a million brains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-noonan/tv-gives-everyone-an-image-but-radio-gives-birth-to-a-million-images/) [Peggy Noonan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-noonan/) > [When everyone in America knows you're in a dreadful position, admit you're in a dreadful position. Don't lie about it and make them roll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-noonan/when-everyone-in-america-knows-you-re-in-a-dreadful-position-admit/) [Peggy Noonan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-noonan/) > [Beware the politically obsessed. They are often bright and interesting, but they have something missing in their natures; there is a hole, an empty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-noonan/beware-the-politically-obsessed-they-are-often-bright-and-interesting/) [Peggy Noonan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-noonan/) > [Loyalty consists of many things, including being truthful with our friends. When you really disagree, you have to say so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-noonan/loyalty-consists-of-many-things-including-being-truthful-with-our/) [Peggy Noonan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-noonan/) > [Our patriotic fervor was the result of the old and widespread belief in the idea of American exceptionalism, the idea that America was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-noonan/our-patriotic-fervor-was-the-result-of-the-old-and-widespread-belief/) [Peggy Noonan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-noonan/) > [Democracy involves that old-fashioned thing called working it out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-noonan/democracy-involves-that-old-fashioned-thing-called-working-it-out/) [Peggy Noonan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-noonan/) > [The Irish are often nervous about having the appropriate face for the occasion. They have to be happy at weddings, which is a strain,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-noonan/the-irish-are-often-nervous-about-having-the-appropriate-face-for-the/) [Peggy Noonan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-noonan/) > [I do not know what the Democratic Party spent, in toto, on the 2004 election, but what they seem to have gotten for it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-noonan/i-do-not-know-what-the-democratic-party-spent-in-toto-on-the-2004/) [Peggy Noonan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-noonan/) [Explore all 105 Peggy Noonan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-noonan/) ## More Comedy quotes > ['Mad TV' is one of my most favorite shows of all time and is a huge part of my obsession with sketch comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-dawson/mad-tv-is-one-of-my-most-favorite-shows-of-all-time-and-is-a-huge/) [Shane Dawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-dawson/) > [You can laugh at me, but I understand show business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ksenia-sobchak/you-can-laugh-at-me-but-i-understand-show-business/) [Ksenia Sobchak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ksenia-sobchak/) > [Joking about violence is not funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/perez-hilton/joking-about-violence-is-not-funny/) [Perez Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/perez-hilton/) > [I wouldn't want people to laugh at me. That's why I have to give all that I can, and at least produce something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zhao-wei/i-wouldn-t-want-people-to-laugh-at-me-that-s-why-i-have-to-give-all/) [Zhao Wei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zhao-wei/) > [“Our world will not die as a result of the bomb, as the papers say, it will die of laughter, of banality, of making a joke…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-ruiz-zafon/our-world-will-not-die-as-a-result-of-the-bomb-as-the-papers-say-it/) [Carlos Ruiz Zafon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-ruiz-zafon/) > [I've been funny my whole life. This is a gift God gave me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-morgan/i-ve-been-funny-my-whole-life-this-is-a-gift-god-gave-me/) [Tracy Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-morgan/) > [“Laugh and grow strong”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ignatius-of-loyola/laugh-and-grow-strong/) [Ignatius of Loyola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ignatius-of-loyola/) > [In the future, I would like to do more films with contemporary themes. Perhaps comedy, which is something I have done in theater but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-evans/in-the-future-i-would-like-to-do-more-films-with-contemporary-themes/) [Luke Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-evans/) > [That's something a lot of folks don't know about me - I'm pretty darn funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jai-white/that-s-something-a-lot-of-folks-don-t-know-about-me-i-m-pretty-darn/) [Michael Jai White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jai-white/) > [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [There's a difference between delivering real funny and just silly funny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-rel-howery/there-s-a-difference-between-delivering-real-funny-and-just-silly/) [Lil Rel Howery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-rel-howery/) > [Oh to that corkscrew, the useful tool to unlock the treasure of wit, the treasury of laughter, the front door of fellowship, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-guzaldo/oh-to-that-corkscrew-the-useful-tool-to-unlock-the-treasure-of-wit/) [Andrew Guzaldo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-guzaldo/) > [“Men circle like bees around honey, buzzing to communicate their sexual despair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carla-h-krueger/men-circle-like-bees-around-honey-buzzing-to-communicate-their-sexual/) [Carla H Krueger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carla-h-krueger/) > [I do love to laugh!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresa-giudice/i-do-love-to-laugh/) [Teresa Giudice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresa-giudice/) > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) [Browse all 19,795 Comedy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Wit penetrates; humor envelops. Wit is a function of verbal intelligence; humor is imagination operating on good nature.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Peggy Noonan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-noonan/wit-penetrates-humor-envelops-wit-is-a-function-of-verbal/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Comedy" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-noonan/wit-penetrates-humor-envelops-wit-is-a-function-of-verbal/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb5/peggy-noonan-4902_comedy_wit-penetrates-humor-envelops-wit-is-a-f_478277.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb5/peggy-noonan-4902_comedy_wit-penetrates-humor-envelops-wit-is-a-f_478277.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb5/peggy-noonan-4902_comedy_wit-penetrates-humor-envelops-wit-is-a-f_478277.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Wit penetrates; humor envelops. Wit is a function of verbal intelligence; humor is imagination operating on…” — Peggy Noonan", "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": "Peggy Noonan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-noonan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Wit penetrates; humor envelops. Wit is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-noonan/wit-penetrates-humor-envelops-wit-is-a-function-of-verbal/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-noonan/wit-penetrates-humor-envelops-wit-is-a-function-of-verbal/#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 } } ] } ```