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Not like it matters really, but can I ask a silly question?

“Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit but the highest form of intelligence,” wrote that connoisseur of wit, Oscar Wilde.

Why is it that very often only the first half "sarcasm is the lowest form of wit" is quoted and the other half "the highest form of intelligence" is ignored?

I'm inclined to think that sarcasm/satire is a sophisticated linguistic expression. It is art. But then, language is part of culture. So, if there isn't a culture that appreciates the art of sarcasm/satire, it is received as nothing but offensive, I guess.

Jetty 7 June 13
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Level 8

I think sarcasm is lost on people who read everything very literally. In their defense, text misses all the signals body language can supply to get meaning across.

brentan Level 8 June 13, 2020

@Jetty It is a pity. I think other ways of talking, like use of nuance for another example, add colour to the language.
1

Level 8

We've been spoiled. Trump is such an easy target for sarcasm. Try it on religious leaders sometime. There's a lot that's just waiting for a little sarcasm.

Theresa_N Level 8 June 13, 2020
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