We never respect those who amuse us, however we may smile at their comic powers.

The remark draws a sharp line between pleasure and esteem: laughter can be freely given, but respect is treated as socially scarce and often withheld from those whose role is to entertain. It suggests a hierarchy in which “comic powers” are enjoyed yet subtly devalued, implying that amusement can diminish perceived seriousness, authority, or moral weight. Read as social critique, the sentence exposes a tendency to patronize performers and wits—smiling at them while denying them full dignity. It also hints at the costs of adopting a comic persona: the very talent that wins attention may prevent others from granting genuine regard.