Try an author, a thought, or a phrase in “quotes”.↑ ↓ Navigate · Esc Close

Type a word, saying or author to search.

Browse the library ↗

It is a great art to laugh at your own misfortune.

It is a great art to laugh at your own misfortune.
Traditional

Historical period not yet established

Meaning in plain English

Laughing at one’s own misfortune called an art values humour in responding to difficulty. The saying presents one possible way of relating to a setback.

What the words are saying

A responsible reading leaves humour voluntary and does not require a harmed person to make light of pain. Laughter can coexist with serious action and support, but it does not establish recovery or resolve the problem. Someone else’s amusement should not replace the affected person’s choice.

Everyday example

Someone makes a joke about a minor setback while still taking the steps needed to address it.

When to use it

Use it as an optional response to difficulty, with seriousness and support retained.

Put a useful idea into practice: try the free seven-day guide ↗

What it does not mean

No duty to laugh or recovery guaranteed through humour is established.

Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.

Attribution & collection notes
Author or tradition
Traditional
Attribution: traditional
Country attributed

Denmark


A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin.
Historical period
Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates.
Recorded source
Contributor-provided wisdom reference (2014 AD)

Supplied reference B; unit 729; PDF page 68; collection label: Denmark

A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.

Culture
Denmark