Do not always be jesting. Wisdom is shown in serious matters, and is more appreciated than mere wit. He that is always ready for jests is never ready for serious things. Jokers resemble liars in that men never believe either, always expecting a lie in one, a joke in the other. One never knows when you speak with judgment, which is the same as if you had none. A continual jest soon loses all zest. Many get the repute of being witty, but thereby lose the credit of being sensible. Jest has its little hour, seriousness should have all the rest.

不要总开玩笑。智慧体现在严肃的事情中，且比耍小聪明更易获得人们的赞赏。总是准备调侃的人绝不会准备做严肃的事。爱开玩笑之人如同爱说谎之人一样--人们从不信任他们，总认为前者是在开玩笑，后者是在说谎。人们永远不知道那些爱开玩笑的人什么时候能运用其判断力说正经的话，这相当于是在说他没有判断力。无休止的玩笑很快便失去其应有的趣味。很多人以其诙谐风趣而闻名，却因此失去明判善断的赞誉。偶尔开开玩笑是可以的，但是大部分时间应该严肃起来。