These were the only philosophical lives yet open: laughter or prayer; sneers, we might say, and tears.

Until the sun of the Positive arose, the wise man had to make his choice between these two.' 'I have been a buffoon, of course,' observed Jean-Marie.
'I cannot imagine you to have excelled in your profession,' said the Doctor, admiring the boy's gravity.

'Do you ever laugh ?' 'Oh, yes,' replied the other.

'I laugh often.

I am very fond of jokes.' 'Singular being!' said Desprez.