Wisdom ceases to be wisdom when it becomes too proud to weep, too grave to laugh, and too self-ful to seek other than itself.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-American Philosopher, Poet, Sculptor
Above all else: go out with a sense of humor. It is needed armor. Joy in one’s heart and some laughter on one’s lips is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life.
—Hugh Sidey (1927–2005) American Journalist
If you lose the power to laugh, you lose the power to think.
—Clarence Darrow (1857–1938) American Civil Liberties Lawyer
Genuine and innocent wit is surely the flavor of the mind. Man could not direct his way by plain reason, and support his life by tasteless food; but God has given us wit, and flavor, and brightness, and laughter, and perfumes, to enliven the days of man’s pilgrimage, and to charm his pained steps over the burning marl.
—Sydney Smith (1771–1845) English Clergyman, Essayist, Wit
The burden of the self is lightened with I laugh at myself.
—Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941) Bengali Poet, Polymath
It was not a laugh but merely a loud smile.
—Unknown
To promote laughter without joining in it greatly heightens the effect.
—Honore de Balzac (1799–1850) French Novelist
It is easier to make people cry than to make them laugh.
—Unknown
I’ve always thought a big laugh
is a really loud noise
from the soul saying
“Ain’t that the truth.”
—Quincy Jones (1933–2024) American Record Producer, Musician, Composer
Laughter gives us distance. It allows us to step back from an event, deal with it and then move on.
—Bob Newhart (1929–2024) American Comedian, Deadpan Stand-up Star, Actor
Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves, they will never cease to be amused.
—Unknown
If I am not allowed to laugh in heaven, I don’t want to go there.
—Martin Luther (1483–1546) German Protestant Theologian
I’ve always thought that a big laugh is a really loud noise from the soul saying, “Ain’t that the truth.”
—Quincy Jones (1933–2024) American Record Producer, Musician, Composer
It is a good thing to laugh, at any rate; and if a straw can tickle a man, it is an instrument of happiness. Beasts can weep when they suffer, but they cannot laugh.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
I hasten to laugh at everything, for fear of being obliged to weep.
—Pierre Beaumarchais (1732–99) French Inventor, Diplomat, Musician, Revolutionary
Laughter does not seem to be a sin, but it leads to sin.
—John Chrysostom (c.347–407 CE) Archbishop of Constantinople
The more laws, the more offenders.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
I find that so often self-realization leaves us only with laughter.
—Byron Katie (b.1942) American Speaker, Author
One good, hearty laugh is a bomb shell exploding in the right place, while spleen and discontent are a gun that kicks over the man who shoots it off.
—Thomas De Witt Talmage (1832–1902) American Clergyman, Author
If I can get you to laugh with me, you like me better, which makes you more open to my ideas. And if I can persuade you to laugh at the particular point I make, by laughing at it you acknowledge its truth.
—John Cleese (b.1939) British Actor, Writer, Comic Innovator
Most of the appearance of mirth in the world is not mirth, it is art. The wounded spirit is not seen, but walks under a disguise.
—Robert South (1634–1716) English Theologian, Preacher
Laugh if you are wise.
—Martial (40–104) Ancient Roman Latin Poet
In every job, relationship, or life situation there is inevitably some turbulence. Learn to laugh at it. It is part of what you do and who you are.
—Allen Klein (b.1938) American Author
I like the laughter that opens the lips and the heart, that shows at the same time pearls and the soul.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
When you laugh, be sure to laugh at what people do and not at what people are.
—Unknown
Not by wrath does one kill, but by laughter.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
You are not angry with people when you laugh at them. Humor teaches tolerance.
—W. Somerset Maugham (1874–1965) British Novelist, Short-Story Writer, Playwright
That laughter costs too much which is purchased by the sacrifice of decency.
—Quintilian (c.35–c.100 CE) Roman Rhetorician, Literary Critic
The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.
—e. e. cummings (1894–1962) American Poet, Writer, Painter
The beauty of the world, which is so soon to perish, has two edges, one of laughter, one of anguish, cutting the heart asunder.
—Virginia Woolf (1882–1941) English Novelist
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