Wit and Humor -- if any difference, it is in duration -- lightning and electric light. Same material, apparently; but one is vivid, and can do damage -- the other fools along and enjoys elaboration.
The difference between the right word and almost the right word is the difference between lightning and thelightning bug.
The lightning there is peculiar; it is so convincing, that when it strikes a thing it doesn't leave enough of that thing behind for you to tell whether-Well, you'd think it was something valuable, and a Congressman had been there.
Thunder is impressive, but it is lightning that does the work.
Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does all the work