The following text is from Richard B. Sheridan’s 1777 satirical play The School for Scandal.
Maria, Lady Sneerwell, and Joseph Surface are discussing their mutual acquaintance Sir Benjamin Backbite.
MARIA: [Sir Benjamin] has done nothing—but his conversation is a perpetual libel on all his acquaintance.
SURFACE: Aye and the worst of it is there is no advantage in not knowing him, for he’ll abuse a stranger just as soon as his best friend—and [his uncle] is as bad.
SNEERWELL: Nay but we should make allowance. Sir Benjamin is a wit and a poet.
MARIA: For my part—I own madam—wit loses its respect with me, when I see it in company with malice. What do you think, Mr. Surface?
SURFACE: Certainly, madam, to smile at the jest which plants a thorn on another’s breast is to become a principal in the mischief.
Maria, Lady Sneerwell, and Joseph Surface are discussing their mutual acquaintance Sir Benjamin Backbite.
MARIA: [Sir Benjamin] has done nothing—but his conversation is a perpetual libel on all his acquaintance.
SURFACE: Aye and the worst of it is there is no advantage in not knowing him, for he’ll abuse a stranger just as soon as his best friend—and [his uncle] is as bad.
SNEERWELL: Nay but we should make allowance. Sir Benjamin is a wit and a poet.
MARIA: For my part—I own madam—wit loses its respect with me, when I see it in company with malice. What do you think, Mr. Surface?
SURFACE: Certainly, madam, to smile at the jest which plants a thorn on another’s breast is to become a principal in the mischief.