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NONSENSE
Hudibras has defined nonsense, as Cowley does wit, by negatives. Nonsense, says he, is that which is neither true nor false. These two great properties of nonsense, which are essential to it, give it such a peculiar advantage over all other writings, that it is incapable of being either answered or contradicted. If it affirms anything, you cannot lay hold of it; or if it denies, you cannot refute it. In a word, there are greater depths and obscurities, greater intricacies and perplexities in an elaborate and well-written piece of nonsense, than in the most abstruse and profound tract of school divinity.
A little nonsense, now and then, is relished by the wisest men.
To write or talk concerning any subject, without having previously taken the pains to understand it, is a breach of the duty which we owe to ourselves, though it may be no offence against the laws of the land. The privilege of talking and even publishing nonsense is necessary in a free state; but the more sparingly we make use of it the better.
Nonsense and noise will oft prevail, when honor and affection fail.
Nonsense is to sense, as shade to light; it heightens effect.
I find that nonsense, at times, is singularly refreshing.
A careless song, with a little nonsense in it, now and then, does not misbecome a monarch.
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