Almanac: Mark Twain on laughter

"Power, Money, Persuasion, Supplication, Persecution--these can lift at a colossal humbug,--push it a little--crowd it a little--weaken it a little, century by century: but only Laughter can blow it to rags and atoms at a blast. Against the assault of Laughter nothing can stand."

Mark Twain, "Chronicle of Young Satan" (courtesy of Tim Hulsey)