How is it possible to expect that mankind will take advice when they will not so much as take warning.
Jonathan SwiftRead
Punning is an art of harmonious jingling upon words, which, passing in at the ears, excites a titillary motion in those parts; and this, being conveyed by the animal spirits into the muscles of the face, raises the cockles of the heart.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Punning is a clever play on words that brings joy and amusement to people.
In this quote, Jonathan Swift describes punning as a creative and harmonious use of language that stimulates both the mind and emotions. He suggests that the enjoyment of puns not only entertains but also elicits physical reactions and uplifts the spirit, highlighting the profound impact that wordplay can have on our overall well-being.
Themes
PunningArtHumorLanguageJoy
In practice
Example use cases
A comedian might quote this to emphasize the joy of wordplay during a stand-up routine.
More from Jonathan Swift
All quotes →What vexes me most is, that my female friends, who could bear me very well a dozen years ago, have now forsaken me, although I am not so old in proportion to them as I formerly was: which I can prove by arithmetic, for then I was double their age, which now I am not. Letter to Alexander Pope. 7 Feb. 1736.
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Jonathan SwiftRead
I'm as old as my tongue and a little older than my teeth.
Jonathan SwiftRead
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