Humor is the only test of gravity, and gravity of humor; for a subject which will not bear raillery is suspicious, and a jest which will not bear serious examination is false wit.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- True seriousness can withstand humor, and true humor can withstand serious scrutiny; what cannot endure either is suspect.
- In plain terms
- Real gravity and humor can both handle testing.
- What can you take from it?
- Authentic ideas survive both joking and scrutiny.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can your beliefs handle a joke?
Another view
It assumes all serious subjects should tolerate mockery.
More from Aristotle
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Permalink to quote #102 Happiness depends upon ourselves.
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