A discourse concerning ridicule and irony in writing (1729)

In the early eighteenth century a sharp‑tongued philosopher became the target of relentless satire, yet his own reflections reveal a surprisingly measured mind. The work opens by charting how public opinion painted him as a dangerous subversive, while simultaneously noting the genteel lifestyle he cultivated on his country estate. Through a series of candid opening remarks, the author lays out a stance that embraces intellectual humility, insisting that every inquiry should begin by suspecting one’s own errors.

From this foundation the discourse moves into a lively examination of how ridicule and irony function as tools in literary argument. It shows how the writer, despite frequent attacks, deliberately engages controversy with a blend of civility and fierce curiosity, cataloguing the many pamphlets that challenged his earlier positions. Listeners will find a thoughtful portrait of a thinker who balances skepticism with a genuine quest for truth, all set against the vibrant backdrop of England’s Enlightenment debates.