Ridicule, the weapon of all others most feared by enthusiasts of every description, and which, from its predominance over such minds, often checks what is absurd, and fully as often smothers that which is noble.
Sir Walter Scott
Orion's Cold Fire
All the Secrets of the Universe and Some Really Important Stuff Too!
“There is no character, howsoever good and fine, but it can be destroyed by ridicule, howsoever poor and witless”
–Mark Twain