Isn’t it fascinating to think that probably the only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings?
David NivenRead
Keep the circus going inside you, keep it going, don't take anything too seriously, it'll all work out in the end.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Embrace joy and maintain a lighthearted perspective on life, as things will eventually fall into place.
David Niven encourages us to maintain a sense of joy and playfulness in our lives, reminding us to not take ourselves too seriously. Life has its ups and downs, but if we keep our inner 'circus' of fun and laughter alive, we can navigate challenges more easily and trust that things will work out in the end.
Themes
CircusLifeLightheartedJoyPerspective
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about coping with stress, this could be introduced to lighten the mood.
More from David Niven
All quotes →Similar quotes
Q: What’s hard for you? A: Mostly I straddle reality and the imagination. My reality needs imagination like a bulb needs a socket. My imagination needs reality like a blind man needs a cane. Math is hard. Reading a map. Following orders. Carpentry. Electronics. Plumbing. Remembering things correctly. Straight lines. Sheet rock. Finding a safety pin. Patience with others. Ordering in Chinese. Stereo instructions in German.
Tom WaitsRead
Give unto me, made lowly wise, The spirit of self-sacrifice; The confidence of reason give, And in the light of truth thy bondman let me live!
William WordsworthRead
In Asian languages, the word for mind and the word for heart are same. So if you’re not hearing mindfulness in some deep way as heartfulness, you’re not really understanding it. Compassion and kindness towards oneself are intrinsically woven into it. You could think of mindfulness as wise and affectionate attention.
Jon Kabat-ZinnRead
You have grown abominably lazy, and you like gossip, and waste time on frivolous things, you are contented to be petted and admired by silly people, instead of being loved and respected by wise ones.
Louisa May AlcottRead
I really wish I was less of a thinking man and more of a fool not afraid of rejection.
Billy JoelRead
It is important for you to know who you are and who you may become. It is more important than what you do, even as vital as your work is and will be.
Russell M. NelsonRead