Nowadays it seems that with reviews like this, a bestseller is made. The book in question is vigourously debated and critiqued and it's author honoured with any number of high - brow awards. They replied, 'We are merrymakers. These two were among the very select few who would inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. These lines from the Talmud express my views exactly.
Intellectual snobs seem to view humourists as the lowest strata of society.
The theory is this - humourous writing is frivolous and for young people, but once you grow up, you graduate to more serious literature. The general view is that humourous writing is fine, but it's soul searching, grim writing that benefits society. Serious writing is associated with great depth of meaning and profundity of thought, but there are too many people writing thoughtful analyses of the world, and too few bringing smiles to others' faces. In Shakespeare's time, the court jester occupied an enviable social position. Not only were his wit and intelligence widely recognised, but even the King acknowledged and respected his trade.