--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Humour very often consists of shrewd…" description: "\"Humour very often consists of shrewd perceptions about people. It's usually fun at someone's expense. Nowadays if you're funny at anybody's expense the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5c/robertson-davies-834_comedy_humour-very-often-consists-of-shrewd-per_3092102.png" --- # Humour very often consists of shrewd perceptions about… ![“Humour very often consists of shrewd perceptions about people. It's usually fun at someone's expense. Nowadays if you're funny at anybody's expense they run to the UN and say, "I must have an ombudsman to protect me." You hardly dare have a shrewd perception about anybody.” quote by Robertson Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5c/robertson-davies-834_comedy_humour-very-often-consists-of-shrewd-per_3092102.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5c/robertson-davies-834_comedy_humour-very-often-consists-of-shrewd-per_3092102.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f5c/robertson-davies-834_comedy_humour-very-often-consists-of-shrewd-per_3092102.png) > “Humour very often consists of shrewd perceptions about people. It's usually fun at someone's expense. Nowadays if you're funny at anybody's expense they run to the UN and say, "I must have an ombudsman to protect me." You hardly dare have a shrewd perception about anybody.” [Robertson Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robertson-davies/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Satire relies on sharp insight into human behavior, but modern sensitivities often suppress such critique, fearing offense. **In simple terms:** Sharp insight can be censored by modern sensitivities. Key Takeaway Balance honest critique with empathy. Themes satire free speech social norms Mood cautious thoughtful Type critical philosophical When to use this quote - stand‑up comedy - political cartoons - media commentary Key Concepts humor perception censorship Questions to Reflect On - When does satire become harmful? - How can humor critique without alienating? A Different Perspective It may ignore the need for responsible humor that avoids harm. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Comedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comedy/) [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) [Humour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humour/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Perception](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perception/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) ## Related quotes > [For the sadness in legitimate humour consists in the fact that honestly and without deceit it reflects in a purely human way upon what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-the-sadness-in-legitimate-humour-consists-in-the-fact-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Human humour often consists of pretending to wish something does not really wish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-applegate/human-humour-often-consists-of-pretending-to-wish-something-does-not/) [Katherine Applegate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-applegate/) > [“Well, what do you owe yourself? 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