Our business in life is not to succeed, but to continue to fail in good spirits.
Robert Louis StevensonRead
Nothing like a little judicious levity.
Interpretation
A touch of humor can greatly enhance any situation.
Robert Louis Stevenson suggests that incorporating a bit of lightheartedness or humor into our lives can make difficult or serious situations more bearable and enjoyable. This 'judicious levity' essentially reminds us of the value of laughter and lightness in human interactions and experiences, promoting a balance between seriousness and fun.
In practice
In a speech about coping with stress, you might say, 'Nothing like a little judicious levity.'
Our business in life is not to succeed, but to continue to fail in good spirits.
Like a bird singing in the rain, let grateful memories survive in time of sorrow.
That man is a success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much.
His past was fairly blameless; few men could read the rolls of their life with less apprehension; yet he was humbled to the dust by the many ill things he had done, and raised up again into sober and fearful gratitude by the many he had come so near to doing, yet avoided.
The habit of being happy enables one to be freed, or largely freed, from the domination of outward conditions.
It is the history of our kindnesses that alone make this world tolerable. If it were not for that, for the effect of kind words, kind looks, kind letters . . . I should be inclined to think our life a practical jest in the worst possible spirit.
I would like to spare the time and effort of hack reviewers and, generally, persons who move their lips when reading.
I don't know which is more discouraging, literature or chickens.
I heard that after you throw away a 'New York Times,' it takes over a hundred years for the lies to biodegrade.
You can't map a sense of humor. Anyway, what is a fantasy map but a space beyond which There Be Dragons? On the Discworld we know that There Be Dragons Everywhere. They might not all have scales and forked tongues, but they Be Here all right, grinning and jostling and trying to sell you souvenirs.
Players, Sir! I look on them as no better than creatures set upon tables and joint stools to make faces and produce laughter, like dancing dogs.
Golf is a funny game. It's done much for health, and at the same time has ruined people by robbing them of their peace of mind. Look at me, I'm the healthiest idiot in the world.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.