Mark Twain;s ideas on Wit and History:

"Wit and Humor--if any difference it is in duration--lightning and electric light. Same material, apparently; but one is vivid, brief, and can do damage--the other fools along and enjoys the elaboration.

- Mark Twain's Notebook"

...to wit...

"Herodotus says, "Very few things happen at the right time, and the rest do not happen at all: The conscientious historian will correct these defects.

- Acknowledgments for A Horse's Tale"