Good-humor is a philosophic state of mind;
We owe it to the Eternal to be virtuous;
but we have the right to add to this tribute our irony
as sort of personal reprisal.
In this way we return to the right quarter jest for jest;
we play the trick that has been played on us…
We are resigned in advance to losing the interest
on our investments of virtue, but we wish not to appear ridiculous by having counted on them too securely…

                                                                          – Renan