Quote by James C. Humes
I don't like jokes in speeches. I do like wit and humor. A joke is to humor what pornography is to erotic language in a good novel.
Summary
This quote emphasizes the distinction between jokes and wit or humor in speeches. The speaker expresses a dislike for jokes, implying that they are cheap and unsophisticated. Instead, they appreciate the use of wit and humor, which are perceived as more intelligent and elegant forms of entertainment. By comparing jokes to pornography in a novel, the speaker insinuates that jokes serve to cheapen the overall quality of a speech, just as pornography can diminish the literary value of a novel.