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About this quote

What does it mean?
Brecht suggests laughter often comes from a lack of awareness about terrible truths.
In plain terms
People laugh because they do not know bad news yet.
What can you take from it?
Ignorance can bring temporary joy.

Where it applies

  • receiving bad news
  • living in ignorance
  • seeking truth

Putting it to work

  • stay informed
  • question joy

Questions to consider

  • Can joy exist without ignorance?
  • Is ignorance better than knowledge?

Another view

Sometimes people laugh despite knowing terrible news.

More from Bertolt Brecht

  1. General, man is very useful. He can fly and he can kill. But he has one defect: He can think.

    Permalink to quote #63
  2. In the dark times Will there also be singing? Yes, there will also be singing About the dark times.

    Permalink to quote #65
  3. General, your tank is a powerful vehicle it smashes down forests and crushes a hundred men. but it has one defect: it needs a driver.

    Permalink to quote #62

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