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Take bread away from me, if you wish, take air away, but do not take from me your laughter.
Pablo Neruda
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Laughter is essential for happiness and connection, more so than material needs.

In this quote, Pablo Neruda emphasizes the profound importance of joy and laughter in life. He suggests that while physical necessities like food and air are vital for survival, the emotional sustenance provided by laughter and companionship is even more critical for a fulfilled life. This reflects the deep human need for connection, happiness, and the lightness that laughter brings to our existence.

Themes

LaughterHappinessJoyConnectionLife

In practice

Example use cases

Use this quote as a toast at a gathering to highlight the importance of joy in relationships.

More from Pablo Neruda

Perhaps this war will pass like the others which divided us leaving us dead, killing us along with the killers but the shame of this time puts its burning fingers to our faces. Who will erase the ruthlessness hidden in innocent blood?
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I want to see the thirst inside the syllables I want to touch the fire in the sound: I want to feel the darkness of the cry. I want words as rough as virgin rocks.” - Verb.
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Only do not forget, if I wake up crying it's only because in my dream I'm a lost child hunting through the leaves of the night for your hands.
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And here am I, budding among the ruins with only sorrow to bite on, as if weeping were a seed and I the earth's only furrow.
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Once more I am the silent one who came out of the distance wrapped in cold rain and bells: I owe to earth's pure death the will to sprout.
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I learned about life from life itself, love I learned in a single kiss and could teach no one anything except that I have lived with something in common among men.
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