Single Idea 8767

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / D. Nature of Philosophy / 8. Humour]

Full Idea

Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.

Gist of Idea

Sorrow is better than laughter

Source

Anon (Ecc) (21: Book of Ecclesiastes [c.200 BCE], 07.03)

Book Reference

'The Bible', ed/tr. the Church [Collins 1950], p.328


A Reaction

This writer fails to see the good in laughter. If he did, he would have a more balanced view, and we could take this opinion more seriously. Theatre audiences always seem keen to hunt out jokes where none are intended.