The old idea that the joke was not good enough for the company has been superseded by the new aristocratic idea that the company was not worthy of the joke. They have introduced an almost insane individualism into that one form of intercourse which is specially and uproariously communal. They have made even levities into secrets. They have made laughter lonelier than tears.

The Quotable Chesterton: A Topical Compilation of the Wit, Wisdom and Satire of G.K. Chesterton (ed. 1986)