All higher humor begins with ceasing to take oneself seriously.
Interpretation
Humor often arises when we stop being overly serious about ourselves and our lives.
Hermann Hesse's quote suggests that true humor comes from the ability to let go of self-importance and to view life with a light-hearted perspective. When we stop taking ourselves too seriously, we can appreciate the absurdities and nuances of life, leading to a richer experience filled with laughter and joy.
In practice
During a speech about resilience, one might use this quote to highlight the importance of light-heartedness.
I shall no longer be instructed by the Yoga Veda or the Aharva Veda, or the ascetics, or any other doctrine whatsoever. I shall learn from myself, be a pupil of myself; I shall get to know myself, the mystery of Siddhartha." He looked around as if he were seeing the world for the first time.
That is where my dearest and brightest dreams have ranged β to hear for the duration of a heartbeat the universe and the totality of life in its mysterious, innate harmony.
I, also, would like to look and smile, sit and walk like that, so free, so worthy, so restrained, so candid, so childlike and mysterious. A man only looks and walks like that when he has conquered his Self. I also will conquer my Self.
You're quite right there," he said. "I have practiced abstinence myself for years, and had my time of fasting, too, but now I find myself once more beneath the sign of Aquarius, a dark and humid constellation.
I call that man awake who, with conscious knowledge and understanding, can perceive the deep unreasoning powers in his soul, his whole innermost strength, desire and weakness, and knows how to reckon with himself.
Despair is the result of each earnest attempt to go through life with virtue, justice and understanding, and to fulfill their requirements. Children live on one side of despair, the awakened on the other side.
Rugby is a good occasion for keeping thirty bullies far from the center of the city.
Some people have such a talent for making the best of a bad situation that they go around creating bad situations so they can make the best of them.
The only rules comedy can tolerate are those of taste, and the only limitations those of libel.
Of course, it is very important to be sober when you take an exam. Many worthwhile careers in the street-cleansing, fruit-picking and subway-guitar-playing industries have been founded on a lack of understanding of this simple fact.
And off we go, out onto the highway looking for a little fun. Perhaps a flatbed truck loaded with human cadavers will explode in front of a Star Trek reunion. One can only dream and hope.
If you've got a cat and a leg, you've got a happy cat. If you've got a cat and two legs, you've got a party.
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