Sefer HaMiddot, Derision and Mockery/ספר המדות·ליצנות

1A person’s derisiveness causes him to have many accusers exercising control over him. He will also be guilty of immoral behavior, and have a domineering wife.

2Being derisive causes a person to lose prestige. He also turns to falsehood, and strays from place to place.

3Flattery leads to mockery.

4Mockery brings suffering.

5A derisive person has no wisdom.

6A person’s derisiveness causes him to be detested by God and man.

7Derisiveness brings destruction by fire.

8A person who ridicules the words of the Sages will burn in hell.

9All mockery is forbidden other than that which is directed at idolatry.

10[The punishment for] derision and mockery is most severe: beginning with suffering and ending with destruction.

11A derisive person has his livelihood diminished. He is destined for hell and his mockery brings destruction to the world.