Make no puns, funny remarks, double entendres,‘witty’ remarks, ironies, sarcasms — only that which is simply earnest meant, harmless to anyone’s feelings. -- Note from Walt Whitman's journal.
I thought that I loved Whitman's quote when first I read it. Then I reread it and didn't like it so much. It took me awhile to get it. My second reaction was, when I try for that, I'm taking myself too seriously.
But...hey, It Is Walt Whitman.
So I thought on it...opened my mind as it were...and came to recognize that my resistance is in mistaking his style of writing with his content. It seems that a lot if not most puns, funny remarks, double entendres,‘witty’ remarks, ironies, sarcasms are made at the expense of another. Which, no matter how pretty we dress that up, is not a good thing.
Maybe funny or witty remarks and ironies get a bye, but then they are funniest when made at the expense of ourself.
So I came to agree with old Walt, only to wish I would take that much time and effort to understand a friend (or foe) who at first blush ticks me off. My world would be saner because my thoughts would be tamer...or vice versa.
Don't you know, God is grateful for us...we give him a daily shot at patience. Which is just love walking around barefoot...laughing.
Thank you.
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