What Is Humor?

More ponderings on the mysteries of mirth, notable quotations about humor via ThinkExist.com and Bartleby.

"Humor inspires sympathetic, good-natured laughter and is favored by the 'healing power' gang. Wit goes for the jugular, not the jocular, and it’s the opposite of football; instead of building character, it tears it down." --Florence King

"It is the ability to take a joke, not make one, that proves you have a sense of humor." --Max Eastman

"Humor, however broad and genial, takes a narrower view than enthusiasm." --Henry David Thoreau

"Humor brings insight and tolerance. Irony brings a deeper and less friendly understanding." --Agnes Repplier

"A sense of humor ... is needed armor. Joy in one's heart and some laughter on one's lips is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life." --Hugh Sidey