The man who laughs has simply not yet had the terrible news.
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
Putting it to work
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
General, man is very useful. He can fly and he can kill. But he has one defect: He can think.
Permalink to quote #63 In the dark times Will there also be singing? Yes, there will also be singing About the dark times.
Permalink to quote #65 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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