As also it is divinely said of Aristotle,
that to seen ridiculous is a part of dishonesty, and foolish.
The wit of the old comedy.--So that what either in the words or
sense of an author, or in the language or actions of men, is awry or
depraved does strangely stir mean affections, and provoke for the
most part to laughter. And therefore it was clear that all insolent
and obscene speeches, jests upon the best men, injuries to
particular persons, perverse and sinister sayings (and the rather
unexpected) in the old comedy did move laughter, especially where it
did imitate any dishonesty, and scurrility came forth in the place
of wit, which, who understands the nature and genius of laughter
cannot but perfectly know.
Aristophanes.--Plautus.--Of which Aristophanes affords an ample
harvest, having not only outgone Plautus or any other in that kind,
but expressed all the moods and figures of what is ridiculous oddly.
In short, as vinegar is not accounted good until the wine be
corrupted, so jests that are true and natural seldom raise laughter
with the beast the multitude. They love nothing that is right and
proper.
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