The mere suddenness of the transition, the mere baulking our… — William Hazlitt · Smartyfair

The mere suddenness of the transition, the mere baulking our expectations, and turning them abruptly into another channel, seems to give additional liveliness and gaiety to the animal spirits; but the instant the change is not only sudden, but threatens serious consequences, or calls up the shape of danger, terror supersedes our disposition to mirth, and laughter gives place to tears.

William Hazlitt

Source not found yetPlayWisdom1800s

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More on play

For the comic spirit has a logic of its own, even in its wildest eccentricities.Henri Bergson The first point to which attention should be called is that the comic does not exist outside the pale of what is strictly HUMAN.Henri Bergson A landscape may be beautiful, charming and sublime, or insignificant and ugly; it will never be laughable.Henri Bergson It seems as though the comic could not produce its disturbing effect unless it fell, so to say, on the surface of a soul that is thoroughly calm and unruffled.Henri Bergson Indifference is its natural environment, for laughter has no greater foe than emotion.Henri Bergson Now step aside, look upon life as a disinterested spectator: many a drama will turn into a comedy.Henri Bergson

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