Him, who incessantly laughs in the street, you may commonly hear grumbling in his closet.
Interpretation
People who appear joyful in public may secretly harbor dissatisfaction or sadness in private.
This quote by Johann Kaspar Lavater suggests that outward appearances can often be misleading. It implies that an individual who expresses happiness or laughter in social settings may actually be dealing with internal struggles or negativity when alone, highlighting the complexities of human emotions and the masks we wear in society.
In practice
In a discussion about mental health awareness, you might use this quote to illustrate how people can hide their true feelings.
There are many kinds of smiles, each having a distinct character. Some announce goodness and sweetness, others betray sarcasm, bitterness and pride; some soften the countenance by their languishing tenderness, others brighten by their spiritual vivacity.
If you wish to appear agreeable in society, you must consent to be taught many things which you already know.
He who seldom speaks, and with one calm well-timed word can strike dumb the loquacious, is a genius or a hero.
Where pride begins, love ceases.
Who in the same given time can produce more than others has vigor; who can produce more and better, has talents; who can produce what none else can, has genius.
When you doubt between words, use the plainest, the commonest, the most idiomatic. Eschew fine words as you would rouge; love simple ones as you would the native roses on your cheek.
NECTAR, n. A drink served at banquets of the Olympian deities. The secret of its preparation is lost, but the modern Kentuckians believe that they come pretty near to a knowledge of its chief ingredient.
Names are not always what they seem. The common Welsh name Bzjxxllwcp is pronounced Jackson.
There aren't many downsides to being rich, other than paying taxes and having relatives asking for money. But being famous, that's a 24 hour job right there.
Some have supposed that the mosquito is of a devout turn, and never will partake of a meal without first saying grace. The devotions of some men are but a preface to blood-sucking.
It wasn't that Nanny Ogg sang badly. It was just that she could hit notes which, when amplified by a tin bath half full of water, ceased to be sound and became some sort of invasive presence.
Those of you who are not aware of my brilliant career as a stand up comic, I'm not aware of it either so we might well wonder what we're doing here.
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