Humor is the only test of gravity, and gravity of humor; for a subject which will not bear raillery is suspicious, and a jest which will not bear serious examination is false wit.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the interconnectedness between gravity and humor. It suggests that humor serves as a measure of seriousness, as a subject that cannot withstand jokes raises suspicion. Similarly, a joke that cannot withstand scrutiny or analysis is considered insincere or lacking wit. Thus, humor becomes a tool to assess the substance and reliability of a subject or a joke, revealing the delicate balance between gravity and lightheartedness.

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