Humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our hardnesses yield, all our irritations and resentments flit away and a sunny spirit takes their place.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Humor softens hardness, irritations, and resentments, bringing a sunny spirit.
- In plain terms
- Humor eases tension and lifts mood.
- What can you take from it?
- Laughter can defuse negativity.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is humor helpful vs. harmful?
Another view
Humor can be misread or inappropriate in serious contexts.
More from Samuel Langhorne Clemens
[Citing a familiar 'American joke':] In Boston they ask, How much does he know? In New York, How much is he worth? In Philadelphia, Who were his parents?
Permalink to quote #29 I was sorry to have my name mentioned as one of the great authors, because they have a sad habit of dying off. Chaucer is dead, Spencer is dead, so is Milton, …
Permalink to quote #31 A round man cannot be expected to fit in a square hole right away. He must have time to modify his shape.
Permalink to quote #28
Related quotes
One always writes comedy at the moment of deepest hysteria.
V.S. NaipaulV.S. Naipaul quote #11 You fill me with inertia.
Peter CookPeter Cook quote #2 Come on, people, it's fucking Christmas!
Simon AmstellSimon Amstell quote #2