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About this quote

What does it mean?
Mix playful humor with serious intentions to maintain balance in communication.
In plain terms
Combine jest and seriousness wisely.
What can you take from it?
Balance humor and seriousness in your interactions.

Where it applies

  • public speaking
  • negotiation
  • leadership

Putting it to work

  • use humor to ease tension
  • keep core messages serious

Questions to consider

  • How do you balance humor and seriousness?
  • When is earnestness more important than jest?

Another view

Too much jest can undermine credibility.

More from Francis Bacon

  1. Suspicions amongst thoughts, are like bats amongst birds, they ever fly by twilight. Certainly they are to be repressed, or at least well guarded: for they clo…

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  2. Discretion of speech, is more than eloquence; and to speak agreeably to him, with whom we deal, is more than to speak in good words, or in good order.

    Permalink to quote #118
  3. As for the passions and studies of the mind: avoid envy; anxious fears; anger fretting inwards; subtle and knotty inquisitions; joys and exhilarations in exces…

    Permalink to quote #115

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