Be Careful With Sarcasm

“Sarcasm,” Thomas Carlyle wrote, “I now see to be, in general, the language of the devil for which reason I have long since as good as renounced it.”

His words will puzzle many who think sarcasm is the ultimate expression of cleverness. They might conclude he’s attacking cheek, wit, banter, teasing, comic relief, gallows humor—all of which are good and m…