Laughter is easier minute by minute, spilled with prodigality, tipped out at a cheerful word.
Interpretation
Laughter comes more easily and frequently through simple, positive interactions.
In this quote, F. Scott Fitzgerald suggests that laughter is a natural and abundant response to kind words or cheerful moments. He emphasizes the ease with which joy can fill our lives when we engage in light-hearted exchanges and share positivity with one another.
In practice
In a speech about mental health, one could include this quote to highlight the importance of humor in coping.
Don't be so anxious about it,' she laughed. 'I'm not used to being loved. I wouldn't know what to do; I never got the trick of it.' She looked down at him, shy and fatigued. 'So here we are. I told you years ago that I had the makings of Cinderella.' He took her hand; she drew it back instinctively and then replaced it in his. 'Beg your pardon. Not even used to being touched. But I'm not afraid of you, if you stay quiet and don't move suddenly.
The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.
It was about then [1920] that I wrote a line which certain people will not let me forget: "She was a faded but still lovely woman of twenty-seven."
The words seemed to bite physically into Gatsby.
But you can love more than just one person, can't you?
A sudden gust of rain blew over them and then another - as if small liquid clouds were bouncing along the land. Lightning entered the sea far off and the air blew full of crackling thunder. The table cloths blew around the pillars. They blew and blew and blew. The flags twisted around the red chairs like live things, the banners were ragged, the corners of the table tore off through the burbling billowing ends of the cloths.
There's hope. It doesn't cost a thing to smile. You don't have to pay to laugh. You better thank God for that.
Penicillin cures, but wine makes people happy.
It is the nature of babies to be in bliss.
Join me in the pure atmosphere of gratitude for life.
I want to know where joy lives. I'd interview scientists, religious leaders and heads of state. I'd want to find out exactly what makes people happy. I'd want to look into the biology, the chemistry of the human brain.
It's never been an issue for me - I don't want to go on a diet, I don't want to eat a Caesar salad with no dressing, why would I do that? I ain't got time for this, just be happy and don't be stupid. If I've got a boyfriend and he loves my body then I'm not worried.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.