It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere.
Agnes RepplierRead
Humor distorts nothing, and only false gods are laughed off their earthly pedestals.
Interpretation
Humor reveals truth and can challenge false beliefs.
This quote suggests that humor serves to illuminate realities by revealing the absurdity of delusions or false idols in life. It implies that true humor does not distort facts but highlights the ridiculousness of those things that people may worship or take too seriously, thus encouraging a more honest perspective on life.
In practice
In a speech about facing challenges, one might quote this to lighten the mood and emphasize the importance of humor.
It is not easy to find happiness in ourselves, and it is not possible to find it elsewhere.
People who cannot recognize a palpable absurdity are very much in the way of civilization.
Who that has plodded on to middle age would take back upon his shoulders ten of the vanished years, with their mingled pleasures and pains? Who would return to the youth he is forever pretending to regret?
'Have some wine,' the March Hare said in an encouraging tone. Alice looked around the table, but there was nothing on it but tea. 'I don't see any wine,' she remarked. 'There isn't any,' said the March Hare.
When audiences come to see us authors lecture, it is largely in the hope that we'll be funnier to look at than to read.
You all watched a sketch about feminism and you didn't even know it because of all the jokes. It's like when Jessica Seinfeld puts spinach in kids' brownies. Suckers!
He who has provoked the lash of wit, cannot complain that he smarts from it.
I have no intention of retiring; I can't imagine not doing stand-up. That's where I started and where I'll be.
A banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the sun is shining, but wants it back the minute it begins to rain.
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