The wisest and the best of men—nay, the wisest and best of their actions—may be rendered ridiculous by a person whose first object in life is a joke.
 Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice (28 January 1813). copy citation

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Author Jane Austen
Source Pride and Prejudice
Topic action joke
Date 28 January 1813
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1342/1342-h/1342-h.htm

Context

“"That is an uncommon advantage, and uncommon I hope it will continue, for it would be a great loss to me to have many such acquaintances. I dearly love a laugh." "Miss Bingley," said he, "has given me more credit than can be. The wisest and the best of men—nay, the wisest and best of their actions—may be rendered ridiculous by a person whose first object in life is a joke." "Certainly," replied Elizabeth—"there are such people, but I hope I am not one of them. I hope I never ridicule what is wise and good. Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies, do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can.” source